The Hindu : Front Page : India, Pakistan keen on promoting closer ties

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Saturday, Jun 28, 2008
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Front Page

India, Pakistan keen on promoting closer ties

Sandeep Dikshit

Pranab Mukherjee, Qureshi agree to hold further talks

— Photo: V.V. Krishnan

External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee greeting his Pakistan counterpart Shah Mahmood Qureshi in New Delhi on Friday.

NEW DELHI: India and Pakistan on Friday agreed to hold further discussions on promoting closer ties but Islamabad urged New Delhi to “give serious thought to outstanding issues that need our consideration” in a political climate that gives both sides the “unique opportunity” to make the peace process irreversible.

Addressing a joint press conference, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi agreed that the climate was right for improving bilateral ties and resolving all the disputes by dialogue.

They announced the launching of the fifth round of the composite dialogue on July 21-22 with the focus on peace and security and Jammu & Kashmir. Experts from both countries would meet on July 10 to give firmer contours to confidence-building measures across the LoC discussed during the previous meetings.

The two sides also agreed to cooperate more closely on infrastructure projects, increase train services, regularly interact on anti-terrorism issues and address issues that would ensure humane treatment of prisoners.

Noting that the timing was right to build the ties, both the sides expressed commitment to developing “peace, friendship and good neighbourly relations,” particularly through enhancement of cooperation in economic and trade fields and people-to-people contacts.

Mr. Qureshi also suggested that at least two of the disputes – Sir Creek and the Siachen – could be resolved but felt “quick movement” on all the outstanding issues would have a positive impact on South Asia. “I personally feel the resolution of Sir Creek is doable, Siachen can be resolved and liberalisation of visas is to mutual advantage.”

The Pakistan Foreign Minister laid stress on the conducive political environment that would make the peace process result-oriented. “But both governments will have to show the political will and give leadership to this process. This is a unique opportunity because all major political players in both countries are supportive of this – whether it is the Congress and Pakistan People’s Party, whether it is the Bharatiya Janata Party and major Opposition parties in Pakistan – and there is virtual consensus on normalisation.”

“A positive movement will give confidence and revitalise the faith of the people in the process. The people will support this positive movement,” he said.

Both the sides also noted the ceasefire along the line of control but Mr. Mukherjee pointed out a few recent “aberrations.” India and Pakistan were trying to restore normality and address issues at the expert level. The final solution would be the political level, he said.

Mr. Mukherjee also hoped that the fifth round of composite dialogue would be more fruitful than the earlier rounds.

Cuts short visit

PTI reports:

Later in the night, Mr. Qureshi cut short his trip and returned home by an IAF plane because of the death of his mother-in-law.

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