The Hindu : CPI hails Islamabad Declaration

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jan 08, 2004

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CPI hails Islamabad Declaration

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI JAN. 7. The Communist Party of India today said that agreement between India and Pakistan for the resumption of a composite dialogue on all bilateral issues, including that of Jammu and Kashmir, was a positive step and suggested that the Government take all political parties into confidence before the talks.

In a statement here, the CPI Central Secretariat said the party had held that both New Delhi and Islamabad should engage in a meaningful dialogue and that the present initiative could herald a "new era of no military conflicts and no wars'' between the nations. But the secular democratic forces in both countries must be vigilant to thwart any attempt by communal forces to sabotage the peace initiative.

The CPI also welcomed the outcome of the SAARC summit and hoped that the association would emerge as a "vibrant body in the common interest of the region''. It noted that the summit ended with a significant and positive declaration, which would have a great impact on the future of the people of the region.

The party said it was heartening to note that the member-nations of SAARC had raised the issues of fighting terrorism, reducing poverty, improving the cooperation for higher learning and human development, promoting health and preserving the environment in this region.

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