New Delhi, July 12: Foreign Minister S M Krishna will visit Pakistan from July 14 to work out the modalities of “restoring trust and confidence” in the relationship, thus paving the way for a “substantive dialogue” on issues of mutual concern.
In a brief statement announcing the three-day visit, the External Affairs Ministry Monday said it is being undertaken “in pursuance of the mandate given by the Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan, during their meeting at Thimphu in April, 2010, to the Foreign Ministers and Foreign Secretaries of both the countries to work out the modalities of restoring trust and confidence in the relationship, thus paving the way for a substantive dialogue on issues of mutual concern.
“Krishna will visit Pakistan from July 14-16, 2010 for bilateral discussions at the invitation of Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Foreign Minister of Pakistan,” it said.
However, both the leaders have already talked about the issues to be raised during the parleys, with Krishna making it clear that he will talk about terrorism emanating from Pakistani soil and Qureshi saying that he will raise the Kashmir issue and alleged human rights violations there. Krishna is expected to explore ways and means to reduce the trust deficit between the two countries that has grown since the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai.
“We would like to talk to Pakistan on a number of concerns that we have. Of course, the primary concern would continue to be terror which emanates from Pakistan,” Krishna has said.
The minister said that he would continue to talk about terror and seek an update on the trial of those accused of carrying out the deadly attacks in Mumbai in 2008.
Meanwhile, Qureshi has said Pakistan will raise the human rights situation in Jammu and Kashmir with Krishna.
“We have raised our voice about human rights violations there and we will continue to do so. When the Indian Foreign Minister comes here soon, that will be the proper occasion to direct his attention towards the incidents occurring in Srinagar and the (Kashmir) valley,” Qureshi has said.
However, Krishna has made it clear that law and order cannot be questioned in the name of rights.
“If there are instances of human rights violations, there are agencies within our own country which have been created to ensure human rights protection. So, it can be looked into, but law and order cannot be questioned in the name of human rights,” Krishna has said.

DECISION ON KISHENGANGA UMPIRES TODAY
India and Pakistan will discuss the issue of appointment of umpires for the Kishenganga hydel power project arbitration in Islamabad Tuesday.
Sources in the government told PTI that India has sent a four-member team to Pakistan, comprising officials from the Water Resources Ministry and the Ministry of External Affairs.
The senior-most member of the team is A K Bajaj, Chairman of the Central Water Commission. The others are India’s Indus Commissioner G Ranganatha, his deputy Darpan Talwar and J N Singh, a Joint Secretary in the MEA.
Pakistan had invited India to discuss the issue of appointment of three neutral umpires.
Earlier, India had invited Pakistan to hold consultations here on July 5 and 6 to decide on umpires bilaterally. But Pakistan suggested that the names of the umpires be exchanged between the missions of the two countries.
Last week, India once again invited Pakistan for consultations, saying it was ready to send its representatives to Islamabad to which the latter agreed.
If the two countries fail to have a consensus on umpires, then this will be decided by a draw of lots by the World Bank, the United Nations and some other institutions.
The two countries, which have agreed on international arbitration, had been having a dispute over how to finalise the three neutral umpires who will supervise the legal battle between the two sides in a court of arbitration.
The two countries have already nominated two legal experts (arbitrators) each to contest their case over the power project being built in Jammu and Kashmir.
Accusing India of breaching the provisions of the 1960 Indus Water Treaty by diverting the water of the Jhelum tributary for its Kishenganga hydel power project, Pakistan sought international arbitration in May this year after the two countries failed to resolve the issue bilaterally for over two decades.
Under the provisions of the treaty, the two countries will have to appoint three umpires, including a Chairman, before the court of arbitration is set up to decide on the issue.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 12 Jul 2010 21:30:00 Mecca time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 12 Jul 2010 18:30:00 GMT
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