PHOTO: AP

CRUCIAL MEETING: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf at a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the Non-Aligned Movement summit in Havana on Saturday.

HAVANA: In a major breakthrough after their hour-long meeting here on Saturday, on the sidelines of the Non-aligned summit, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf decided to put in place an institutional mechanism to counter terrorism.

At the end of the one-on-one talks without aides which they described as "cordial, frank and detailed," they agreed to an India-Pakistan anti-terrorism institutional mechanism to identify and implement counter-terrorism initiatives and investigations, according to a joint statement read out by Dr. Singh at a media appearance along with General Musharraf.

The statement went on to say that the two leaders met in the aftermath of the Mumbai blasts and "strongly condemned all acts of terrorism and agreed that terrorism is a scourge that needs to be effectively dealt with."

They also agreed to the resumption of the composite dialogue between the Foreign Secretaries "at the earliest," noting that the peace process must be maintained and its success was important for both countries and the future of the entire region.

On Jammu and Kashmir, they decided to continue the "joint search for mutually acceptable options for a peaceful negotiated settlement of all issues between India and Pakistan, including the issue of Jammu and Kashmir, in a sincere and purposeful manner." Referring to the "useful discussions" on Jammu and Kashmir, the joint statement went on to say "there is a need to build on convergences and narrow down divergences."

The Foreign Secretaries, who are to meet in New Delhi shortly to continue their composite dialogue, are to arrange for consultations for an early solution to the Siachen issue. The two leaders agreed that experts would work out the modalities of a joint survey of Sir Creek "without prejudice to each other's positions on the issue." The survey itself is to start in November 2006 and the experts are to start discussions on the maritime boundary as well.

The two leaders also decided to move ahead with the implementation of the agreements already reached on the confidence building measures along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir, including bus services, crossing points and truck services.

Dr. Singh accepted Gen. Musharraf's renewed invitation to visit Pakistan at a time to be fixed later.

Neither of the two leaders would go beyond the carefully formulated joint statement that was worked out after hours of discussions among the members of the delegation, including the National Security Adviser M. K. Narayanan and the Foreign Secretary-designate Shivshankar Menon on the Indian side and Pakistan's Secretary of the National Security Council Tariq Aziz, Foreign Minister Kasuri and Foreign Secretary Riaz Khan.

Asked by the Indian media as he was passing through the hotel lobby if the new agreement represented a breakthrough, Gen. Musharraf said, "Yes, it is very good." He pronounced himself happy over the outcome. He would not be drawn into a detailed discussion, pointing out that he had committed himself to not saying anything more than what the statement said, lest it should hamper the dialogue process.

Before the meeting of the two leaders, they were accompanied by their delegations for a brief interaction. The Indian delegation included Mr. Narayanan, Minister of State for External Affairs Anand Sharma, Mr. Shivshankar Menon and Media Adviser to the Prime Minister Sanjaya Baru. The Pakistani side included Mr. Kasuri, Mr. Riaz Khan, and Minister of State Sumaira Malik.

Indian officials later expressed satisfaction over the outcome of the meeting, noting that major issues, including the formulation on terrorism were being negotiated till the very last. The reference to terrorism and the constitution of a joint mechanism to counter it were in tune with the Prime Minister's stand that he can carry Indian public opinion with him only if there were credible assurances on terrorism. At the same time, the resumption of the Foreign Secretary-level dialogue, addressing the issues of Jammu and Kashmir, Siachen and Sir Creek satisfied the Pakistani side.

"Historic opportunity"

UNI, PTI report:

In his address to the NAM summit on Friday night, Gen. Musharraf said, "A historic opportunity exists that must be seized by the leadership of the two countries to bring to a close the chapter of tensions and conflict in our region."

"It is of paramount importance that we devote all energies to address the major challenges of our region by ensuring poverty alleviation, universal education, better health and higher standards of living for our people," he said.

Gen. Musharraf said the three years of peace process between India and Pakistan had led to confidence building and improved environment in bilateral relations.

"Pakistan is making sincere efforts to promote peace and cooperation in South Asia. Three years of peace process with India have led to confidence building and improved environment. We are determined to pursue the peace process to resolve all outstanding issues with India, including the Jammu and Kashmir dispute."

He also called upon NAM members to focus on just and equitable solutions to international conflicts and disputes by establishing a mechanism for the purpose.

He urged NAM to promote a comprehensive strategy to combat terrorism."NAM should promote a comprehensive strategy to combat and eliminate terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. It should require a two-pronged approach: first combating terrorist sanctuaries, including through active international cooperation, [and] secondly addressing the underlined cause of terrorism and extremism, which includes political disputes and conflicts, economic and social injustices."

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