The Hindu : Full text of Indo-Pak. joint statement

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Feb 19, 2004

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Full text of Indo-Pak. joint statement

ISLAMABAD, FEB. 18. The following is the text of the joint press statement from India and Pakistan.

The Foreign Secretaries of Pakistan and India met in Islamabad on February 18, 2004.

They reviewed and endorsed the agreement worked out at the Director General/Joint Secretary level meetings on February 16 - 17 on the modalities and time-frame for discussions on all subjects on the agenda of the composite dialogue.

Both sides agreed that they would approach the composite dialogue with the sincere desire to discuss and arrive at a peaceful settlement of all bilateral issues, including Jammu and Kashmir to the satisfaction of both sides. They reiterated their commitment to promote progress towards the common objective of peace, security and economic development for their peoples and for future generations.

They agreed to the following schedule of meetings:

i. Foreign Secretaries would meet in May/June 2004 for talks on peace and security including CBMs; and Jammu and Kashmir.

ii. Talks on Siachen; Wullar Barrage/Tulbul Navigation Project; Sir Creek; Terrorism and Drug-trafficking; Economic and Commercial Cooperation; and Promotion of Friendly Exchanges in various fields would be held at the already agreed levels, in July 2004.

The following technical level meetings would be held earlier:

a. Meeting between the Director General, Pakistan Rangers, and the Inspector General, Border Security Force, in March/April 2004.

b. Expert level talks on nuclear CBMs in the latter half of May 2004.

c. Committee on Drug-trafficking and Smuggling in June 2004.

They reviewed the existing links between the Directors General, Military Operations of Pakistan and India, and agreed to consider further strengthening these contacts.

The Foreign Minister of Pakistan and External Affairs Minister of India would meet in August 2004 to review overall progress. This would be preceded by a one-day meeting of the Foreign Secretaries.

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Full text of Indo-Pak. joint statement