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Ball in India’s court for resumption of dialogue
* Nawaz says New Delhi shouldn’t have cancelled foreign secretary-level talks unilaterally * Pakistan disappointed by India’s decision
APP
ONBOARD PM’S SPECIAL AIRCRAFT: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said on Tuesday that India should take an initiative to resume talks with Pakistan.
“Now the ball is in India’s court,” he said while referring to India’s unilateral decision to call off foreign secretary-level talks, which were due in August this year. Talking to reporters aboard his flight from Islamabad to Nepal’s capital Kathmandu, the prime minister said the decision to hold foreign secretary-level talks was taken by the prime ministers of both Pakistan and India, and should not have been called off unilaterally. “These talks should not have been cancelled unilaterally,” he added.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had decided for resumption of foreign secretary-level talks during the former’s visit to India to attend Modi’s inauguration ceremony. When asked about chances of resumption of talks with India, Nawaz Sharif said the question better be put forth to India in view of its one-sided decision. He said Pakistan was disappointed by this decision and now India should take the initiative to resume the talks. The prime minister is due to attend today (Wednesday) the 18th summit of South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC).
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is among other SAARC leaders, who will join the Summit. Nawaz Sharif stressed on strengthening SAARC as an effective organisation and harnessing its potential to the fullest. He said the SAARC was going to complete 30 years of its establishment, however it was far behind other regional forums. Nawaz said he had visited some earlier SAARC summits and had given several proposals for its improvement. He said regional conflicts were the main impediment to the strengthening of SAARC. He, however, said Pakistan would continue playing its role in making the SAARC an effective body.
Prime Minister Nawaz received a red carpet welcome as he alighted from his special aircraft at Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport. Nepal’s Deputy Prime Minister Bam Dev Gautam received him. A contingent of the Nepalese armed forces presented a salute to the prime minister as national anthems of the two countries were played. Prime Minister Nawaz’s entourage includes special assistants Tariq Fatemi and Irfan Siddiqui. Begum Kalsoom Nawaz, the wife of the prime minister, was also present. Flags of the eight participating countries adorned the building along with huge emblems of the 8th Saarc Summit.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was given a warm reception by general public as hundreds of people lined the route from airport to his hotel. The crowd waved Pakistani flags as he drove past them. His large portraits and Pakistani flags were put along roadside. The prime minister will share with the regional leaders his desire for a “peaceful neighbourhood” where only meaningful cooperation can come up to the expectations of 1.5 billion people living in the region. He will join other regional leaders at the City Hall - Rastriya Sabha Griha today at the inaugural and closing ceremonies. He will be meeting Nepalese President Ram Baran Yadav and Prime Minister Sushil Koirala, besides other leaders during his stay.
A senior Foreign Office official said Pakistan firmly believed that the full potential of SAARC could only be fully realised if differences, particularly the issue of Jammu and Kashmir, were resolved peacefully through a sustained dialogue process between Pakistan and India. The SAARC Charter forbids any debate on conflicts and disputes and requires amendment with unanimity. Pakistan believes that the SAARC region has the potential to become a factor for global economic growth in the 21st century, owing to its huge resources. However, the rivalries and lack of trust among the member states have so far impeded greater regional integration. It has limited the current trade volume amongst the eight member states to mere 3 billion dollars, far less than the region’s true potential.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s participation in the Summit reflects Pakistan’s support to the regional association’s efforts in alleviating poverty and promoting literacy in the region. Pakistan is also a vocal supporter of strategies in the fields of agriculture, food security, climate change and cooperation in sharing indigenous sources of energy, including solar, wing, bio and hydro.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk