Relations with Pakistan ‘on right track’: India
830 viewsBy jazbablog - Wed Jul 27, 6:40 pm
New Delhi: Federal foreign minister Hina Rabbani Khar and his Indian counterpart SM Krishna reiterated their commitment to continue with the dialogue process and hoped that the two countries would be able to narrow down differences.
Addressing a joint press conference after deliberating on issues with Indian External affairs minister for over two hours, Khar said Wednesday that she is confident about the future course of relations between the two counties. She said it was their desire to make the dialogue process “uninterrupted” and “uninterruptible”.
“I am more confident – after having met you – than when I arrived in Delhi Tuesday. We are committed to the process. I bring you commitment from President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and other political parties – big and small – to a process of engagement and to a process of normalization,” she said.
“This is indeed a new era of bilateral ties,” she said, adding, “Pakistan desires to open a new chapter of amity and understanding with India.” “We need to continue with this process and make this engagement a result oriented one”, she said. There is no alternative to dialogue and constructive engagement. Pakistan and India are not only close neighbours but have a special responsibility to promote stability for the prosperity of the region as a whole,” said Khar.
Khar said that she was confident that the dialogue process could be taken forward and it was important for both the countries to talk more and deepen the understanding of each other’s position
Khar said that to have friendly relations between India and Pakistan the two sides need to invest more in resolving all outstanding issues peacefully.
Indian External affairs minister S.M Krishna said, “Our ties are on right track but there are distances to travel.” “We have agreed that terrorism is a continuing threat to peace and security and reiterated our commitment to fight this scourge in all its manifestations,” he said.
Besides strengthening cooperation on terrorism, Krishna said that both the countries will continue discussions on Jammu and Kashmir by narrowing divergences.
Krishna also announced that he will be heading to Islamabad early next year to continue with the dialogue process.
“I am happy with dialogue. We will continue with the dialogue process, both the Foreign Ministers will meet in Islamabad in the first half of 2012,” he announced.
Krishna also said that both the sides have agreed to take more steps for the benefit of the people on both sides of the LoC, adding, “India and Pakistan agree on additional measures for cross-LoC travel.” “I am satisfied with the outcome of our talks. We are listening carefully to each other,” he added.
After the meeting both countries agreed that fighting terror should be at the top of their agenda, he said. Krishna said that the talks were on right track and India was satisfied with the progress.
“Terrorism poses continuing threat to peace and security. We have reiterated our commitment to fight this scourge in all its forms and agreed to strengthen counter-terrorism to bring those responsible for terror crimes to justice,” said Krishna.
He added that Jammu and Kashmir was also discussed with the Pakistani delegation and efforts are on to find a “peaceful solution” to the issue.
Foreign minister Hina Rabbani Khar was accompanied by Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir, Zehra Akbari, Director General, South Asia, in Foreign Office and Pakistan’s High Commissioner to India Shahid Malik.
Krishna delegation included Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao, Foreign Secretary-designate Ranjan Mathai, Y K Sinha, joint secretary in-charge of Pakistan in MEA, Sharat Sabharwal, India’s High Commissioner to Pakistan, and other senior officials.
This good news for both the countries. India and Pakistan should enhance their trade relations and i am sure both countries will benefit from it. Both countries should realize that the citizens on Pakistan and India want nothing but peace.
It is encouraging to see the two neighbors strengthening peace in the region. They should also both work collectively to remove the menace of terrorism also.