The Hindu : Front Page : “Forces trying to derail peace process”

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Sep 26, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Front Page

Front Page

“Forces trying to derail peace process”

Harish Khare

India, Pakistan agree to begin cross-LoC trade from October 21, 2008

NEW YORK: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari, meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly here on Thursday, agreed that violence, hostility and terrorism had no place in the vision they shared of the bilateral relationships.

A joint-statement issued at the end of their meeting said “violence, hostility and terrorism … must be visibly and verifiably prevented. Severe actions would be taken against any elements directing or involved in terrorist acts.”

Conceding that there were “forces that have tried to derail the peace process”, the two leaders agreed that these “must be defeated” before there could be a “constructive dialogue for the peaceful resolution” of the many bilateral issues, including Jammu and Kashmir.

Moving beyond the broad sentiments, the two leaders also agreed to work towards a number of immediate specific initiatives:

First, a foreign secretary level dialogue in the next three months and this interaction “will focus on deliverables and concrete achievements.”

Second, the ceasefire should be “stabilised.” To achieve this objective, the Directors- General of Military Operations as also sector commanders would be directed to be in regular contact.

Third, the Joint Anti-Terror Mechanism will meet next month to address “mutual concerns, including the bombing of the Indian Embassy in Kabul.” So far, the anti-terror mechanism has been a non-starter.

And, fourth, the two sides agreed to open the Wagah-Attari road link as also the Khokrapar-Munabao rail route to “all permissible items of trade.” There will be cooperation in the energy sector. And, more importantly, given the context of the recent turmoil in the Kashmir Valley, the two sides agreed to “commence cross-Line of Control trade on the Srinagar-Muzzaffarabad and Poonch-Rawalakote roads from October 21, 2008.

A few hours before he met Dr. Singh, Mr. Zardari reiterated to the Pakistani media in New York that “Kashmir remained the core issue.”

Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon, who interpreted the Manmohan Singh-Zardari statement for the Indian media, refused to get involved in any cross-talk on Jammu and Kashmir.

However, he did express himself to be satisfied that the “summit” had vindicated India’s three-pronged strategy towards Pakistan: end to all violence, including terror acts; reasonable resolution of all issues including Jammu and Kashmir; and encouragement to putting in place a superstructure of cooperation in different fields.

The Indian side subscribes to the view that return of democracy in Pakistan could also help sort out the ties between the two countries. The joint statement records Dr. Singh’s hope that “victory of democracy” in Pakistan “would pave the way for a profound transformation of the bilateral relationship, so that India and Pakistan could work together on their shared objectives of peace, prosperity and security.”

Text of the joint statement by Manmohan and Zardari

Zardari calls Manmohan 'architect of modern India'

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Front Page