The Hindu : Jamali hopes for new era in bilateral ties

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Nov 30, 2003

International

International - India & World

Jamali hopes for new era in bilateral ties

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD Nov. 29. The Pakistan Prime Minister, Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali, has expressed the hope that the expected participation of the Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, in the SAARC Summit scheduled here in the first week of January, will usher in a new era in India- Pakistan relations.

Mr. Jamali has been quoted as saying that India has responded positively to Pakistan's proposal of talks. He has expressed the hope that India would adopt further `encouraging measures' following the ceasefire.

Mr. Jamali has echoed the sentiments expressed by the Pakistan President, Pervez Musharraf, on Friday that the confidence building measures should be seen as a process leading to dialogue and not an end in itself. Since declaration of ceasefire on the Line of Control, Pakistani leaders have not missed an opportunity to emphasise the need for a dialogue to carry forward the peace process. The Pakistan Foreign Office spokesman, Masood Khan, has welcomed Mr. Vajpayee's remarks that he would be glad if his Pakistani counterpart, Zafarullah Khan Jamali, meets him during the January SAARC summit and said the two countries should start talks.

The spokesman said Islamabad was keenly awaiting the outcome of second round of civil aviation talks scheduled in New Delhi on December 1 and 2 on resumption of air links.

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Jamali hopes for new era in bilateral ties