Islamabad, June 24: India Friday made it clear to Pakistan that resolution of the Kashmir issue cannot take place under the “shadow of gun” as the two countries concluded “satisfactory” talks which resulted in agreement on various confidence building measures (CBMs).
Two days of talks between Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao and her counterpart Salman Bashir ended here on a positive note paving the way for discussions between Foreign Ministers of the two countries in New Delhi next month.
On the second day of their talks, the two Foreign Secretaries discussed various issues related to Jammu and Kashmir and focused on ways to further ease trade and travel across the Line of Control.
“The Foreign Secretaries exchanged views on the issue of Jammu & Kashmir and agreed to continue discussions in a purposeful and forward looking manner with the view to finding a peaceful solution by narrowing divergences and building convergences,” a joint statement issued after the meeting said.
The Kashmir related confidence-building measures (CBMs) could include the launch of the Kargil-Skardu train link, increasing the frequency of cross-Kashmir bus link between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad, and an increase in the number of trading days across the LoC.
India pressed for “satisfactory closure” of the trial in Pakistan of Mumbai attack accused, saying it would help in normalisation of ties. Pakistan wanted terrorism issue to be addressed in a “collaborative” manner.
At a joint press conference at the Pakistan Foreign Office, Rao and Bashir struck a positive tone describing their discussions as “very constructive and purposeful”. Various nuclear and conventional CBMs were discussed during the talks and it was agreed to convene separate expert-level meetings on these subjects to strengthen the existing arrangements and consider additional measures later this year.
Both sides agreed to convene a meeting of the Working Group on cross-LoC CBMs to recommend measures for strengthening and streamlining the existing trade and travel arrangements across the LoC and propose modalities for introducing additional Cross-LoC CBMs. The group will meet next month.
The Indian Foreign Secretary made a pointed reference to the need to do away with “shadow of the gun and extremist violence” while dealing with the “complex issue” of Jammu and Kashmir. Rao said, “I think we have to make peace and reconciliation step by step. We must do away with the shadow of gun and extremist violence because it is only in an atmosphere free of terror and violence that we can discuss resolution of such a complex issue.”
She also said the “unleashing of violence” should end as “military conflict” has no space in 21st century. It should be replaced by a “vocabulary of peace” for resolution of issues in an atmosphere “free from terror and violence”.
Bashir said the two sides made their “well-known” positions on the Kashmir issue, nonetheless they agreed to continue discussions to find a common ground. It did not mean that anybody has changed the position, he said.
“We have tried to move forward,” he added.
Referring to cross-LoC CBMs, Bashir said that these were aimed at creating “more comfort and relief” to Jammu and Kashmir.
On Wednesday, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani had said that that the future of Pakistan was closely linked with the resolution of the Kashmir dispute.
To a question by a Pakistani journalist on the Samjhauta blast case, Rao said India has promised to “share the outcome” once the investigations are over.
The joint statement said the two countries also discussed measures for promoting cooperation in various fields including, facilitating visits to religious shrines, media exchanges, holding of sports tournaments and cessation of hostile propaganda against each other.
Rao said the two sides discussed all aspects of cross-LoC CBMs including the number of trading days and points, banking facilities and more transport linkages.
The two countries also agreed to the need for promoting friendly exchanges between the two countries. They noted with satisfaction the progress made towards finalisation of the Visa Agreement which will help liberalise the visa regime and facilitate people-to-people, business-to-business and sports contacts.
The joint statement said the Foreign Secretaries will meet again in New Delhi on a date to be decided through diplomatic channels to prepare for the meeting of the Foreign Ministers.
Both sides agreed to the need for promoting friendly exchanges between the two countries.
“They noted with satisfaction the progress made towards finalisation of the Visa Agreement which will help liberalise the visa regime and facilitate people-to-people, business-to-business and sports contacts,” it said.
The two countries also discussed measures for promoting cooperation in various fields including, facilitating visits to religious shrines, media exchanges, holding of sports tournaments and cessation of hostile propaganda against each other.
The Foreign Secretaries agreed that people of the two countries are at the heart of the relationship and that humanitarian issues should be accorded priority and treated with sensitivity.

INDIA TO HOST PAK FM IN JULY
India on Friday conveyed to Pakistan that it was looking forward to hosting minister of state for foreign affairs Hina Rabbani, who is expected to be made foreign minister, for crucial talks in New Delhi next month. This was conveyed by foreign secretary Nirupama Rao when she called on Khar in the Pakistani capital.
Rao conveyed to Khar the greetings of external affairs minister SM Krishna and “reiterated that the government of India looks forward to the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs’ visit to New Delhi next month”, Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesperson Tehmina Janjua said.
Khar underlined “the importance that Pakistan attaches to the ongoing dialogue process and to the improvement of Pakistan-India relations”, Januja quoted her as saying. She said Khar was looking forward “very much to her meetings in New Delhi”.
Pakistan’s high commissioner to India Shahid Malik affirmed that his country’s foreign minister will be travelling to New Delhi next month to take forward the peace process that was resumed in February after a prolonged hiatus following the Mumbai terror attacks. “What we can deliver at this stage is that our foreign minister will be visiting New Delhi in July,” he said.
Khar is currently minister of state for foreign affairs, but leading Pakistani media outfits have speculated that the government has decided to elevate her to cabinet rank ahead of crucial foreign minister talks with India in July.

Joint Statement
* Under the resumed dialogue process, the Foreign Secretaries of Pakistan and India met in Islamabad, on 23-24 June 2011 for bilateral talks on Peace and Security including CBMs, Jammu and Kashmir and promotion of friendly exchanges. Three sessions of talks were held.

* The talks were held in a frank and cordial atmosphere. Both sides reiterated their intention to carry forward the dialogue process in a constructive and purposeful manner.

* The issues of Peace and Security, including CBMs, were discussed in a comprehensive manner. Both sides emphasized the importance of constructive dialogue to promote mutual understanding.

*The Foreign Secretaries exchanged views on the issue of Jammu & Kashmir and agreed to continue discussions in a purposeful and forward looking manner with the view to finding a peaceful solution by narrowing divergences and building convergences.

*Both sides agreed to convene a meeting of the Working Group on Cross-LoC CBMs to recommend measures for strengthening and streamlining the existing trade and travel arrangements across the LoC and propose modalities for introducing additional Cross-LoC CBMs. The Working Group will meet in July 2011.

*Both sides agreed to the need for promoting friendly exchanges between the two countries. They noted with satisfaction the progress made towards finalization of the Visa Agreement which will help liberalize the visa regime and facilitate people-to-people, business-to-business and sports contacts.

*The two sides also discussed measures for promoting cooperation in various fields including, facilitating visits to religious shrines, media exchanges, holding of sports tournaments and cessation of hostile propaganda against each other.

*They noted the ongoing implementation of various Nuclear and Conventional CBMs.  They also decided to convene separate Expert level meetings on Nuclear and Conventional CBMs to discuss implementation and strengthening of existing arrangements and to consider additional measures, which are mutually acceptable, to build trust and confidence and promote peace and security. The dates for the Expert level meetings will be determined through diplomatic channels.

*The Foreign Secretaries noted that both countries recognize that terrorism poses a continuing threat to peace and security and they reiterated the firm and undiluted commitment of the two countries to fight and eliminate this scourge in all its forms and manifestations. They agreed on the need to strengthen cooperation on counter-terrorism.

*The Foreign Secretaries agreed that people of the two countries are at the heart of the relationship and that humanitarian issues should be accorded priority and treated with sensitivity.

*The Foreign Secretaries will meet again in New Delhi, on a date to be decided through diplomatic channels, to prepare for the meeting of the Foreign/External Affairs Ministers in New Delhi in July 2011.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 24 Jun 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 24 Jun 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 25 Jun 2011 00:00:00 IST