New Delhi, July 13: External Affairs Minister S M Krishna embarks on a mission to Pakistan tomorrow, in an effort to bridge the trust deficit that has bedeviled the ties between the two countries.
 Krishna's 3-day visit to hold talks with his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mahmood Qureshi, will focus on humanitarian issues such as people-to-people contact, exchange of prisoners and bilateral trade.
 The visit takes place in the backdrop of weeks of violence in Kashmir valley. The two Foreign Ministers have been tasked by their Prime Ministers, who met in Thimphu in April, to bridge the trust deficit and increase confidence in the relationship, thus paving the way for a substantive dialogue on issues of mutual concern.
 Although the upcoming talks are not being described as Composite Dialogue, India will not shy from discussing any issue concerning the bilateral ties.
 Afghanistan may be another important subject for discussion between Krishna and Qureshi. India has pumped in millions of Dollars in assistance to the war-torn country and is unwilling to cede any strategic space to Pakistan.
 Meanwhile, Pakistani diplomatic sources in Islamabad said the upcoming meeting between External Affairs Minister S M Krishna and his counterpart Shah Mahmood Qureshi is expected to focus on making progress in non-controversial areas even as the two sides prepare for the long haul in addressing thornier issues like the Mumbai attacks and the Kashmir dispute.
 In addition to various proposals exchanged during the Foreign Secretary-level talks in Islamabad on June 24, the two Foreign Ministers are likely to focus on "do-ables" in non-controversial areas, including the release of prisoners, people-to-people contacts, cross-Line of Control confidence-building measures and trade, diplomatic sources told PTI.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 13 Jul 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 13 Jul 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 14 Jul 2010 00:00:00 IST