New Delhi, Apr 1: Describing the recent Indo-Pak Home Secretary-level talks as a positive development, Home Minister P Chidambaram Friday said it is one of the many steps to be taken towards resolution of disputes between the two countries.
 “It is a positive step. It is one among many steps that have to be taken towards resolution of disputes between India and Pakistan,” he told reporters on his assessment on the two-day talks here between Home Secretary G K Pillai and Chaudhary Qamar Zaman on March 28-29.
 Chidambaram said Zaman has invited Pillai to visit Pakistan for the next round of talks.
 “In the meanwhile, the joint working group will meet (to discuss liberal visa regime). These are positive developments consistent with the government of India’s policies enunciated by the Prime Minister and we are happy to play our role in the Ministry of Home Affairs,” he said.

ON VISA
 He said India is positive on liberalising the visa regime with Pakistan to facilitate greater people-to-people contacts between the two nations.
 “We have liberalised considerably but in the Home Secretary-level talks there was a suggestion that we should meet again and a joint working group should be constituted to explore further liberalisation. We are positive to the idea that there must be a liberal visa regime between India and Pakistan. So a joint working group would suggest further liberalisation,” he said.

ON MUMBAI COMMISSION
 Chidambaram said Pakistan has agreed in principle to receive an Indian team to gather information and evidence in that country in connection with the 2008 Mumbai attack case.
 “Modalities and procedures would have to be worked out. And when we work out the modalities and procedures, please rest assured, that I will be mindful of the legal provisions. Obviously I can not send a team without being mindful of legal provisions,” he said.
 In the Home Secretary level talks, Pakistan conveyed its readiness, in principle, based upon the principle of comity and reciprocity, to entertain a Commission from India with respect to Mumbai terror attack probe.
 Chidambaram said he hoped that the modalities and procedures would be worked out quickly and the Indian team can travel to Pakistan soon.
 On sharing with Pakistan the progress of the Samjhauta Express blasts investigation, the home minister said India has exchanged with Pakistan information available up to date.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 1 Apr 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 1 Apr 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 2 Apr 2011 00:00:00 IST