Pakistan, India agree to carry on peace talks

Awaz Apni SHARM-EL-SHEIKH: A crucial meeting between leaders of Pakistan and India ended here Thursday on a positive note, with both sides agreeing that dialogue was the only way forward.Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani and Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh who met here at the Red Sea resort on the sidelines of the 15th NAM summit, where more than 50 heads of state from the developing world are gathered for the two-day summit, agreed to carry on their talks. Talking to reporters after the meeting that lasted around three hours; including delegation level and exclusive one-on-one talks, Prime Minister Gilani said Pakistan also raised the issue of threats in Balochistan and other areas. Prime Minister Gilani said Pakistan has said that all core issues need to be discussed and the composite dialogue should not be bracketed with terrorism. “Action on terrorism should not be linked to the composite dialogue process and these should not be bracketed.” He said both the leaders have recognized that “dialogue is the only way forward” and agreed that the foreign secretaries should meet as often as necessary and report to the two foreign ministers who will be meeting on the sidelines of the forthcoming UN General Assembly. A Joint statement issued at the end of the talks termed the meeting “cordial and constructive” and said the two leaders considered entire gamut of relations and agreed that terrorism was the main threat to both the countries. “The leaders affirmed their resolve to fight terrorism and to cooperate with each other to this end.” Prime Minister Singh reiterated the need to bring the perpetrators of Mumbai attack to justice. Prime Minister Gilani assured that Pakistan would do everything in its power in this regard. He said Pakistan has provided an updated status dossier on the investigation of the Mumbai attacks and had sought additional information and evidence in this regard. Prime Minister Singh said the dossier was being reviewed. “Both the leaders agreed that the two countries will share real time, credible and actionable information on any future terrorist threats,” the statement said. “Prime Minister Gilani mentioned that Pakistan has some information on threats in Balochistan and other areas,” the statement said. Prime Minister Singh said India was ready to discuss all issues with Pakistan including all outstanding issues. Prime Minister Singh reiterated India’s interest in a stable, democratic Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The joint statement said; “Both leaders agreed that the real challenge is development and the elimination of poverty. Both leaders resolved to eliminate those factors which prevent our countries from realizing their full potential.” Pakistan and India agreed to work to create an atmosphere of mutual trust and confidence and reaffirmed their intention to promote regional cooperation. The talks on the sidelines of the 15th NAM summit are being held in a bid to resume the stalled peace process, meant to resolve their long-standing disputes. Earlier Prime Minister Manmohan Singh received Prime Minister Gilani when he arrived at the venue. The two leaders warmly shook hands and had a photo-op before starting the talks at Maritim Jolie Ville Resort. The talks were held amidst hopes that the peace process might be reinvigorated to bring stability to the region. The two leaders were supported by delegations including Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira, Education Minister Mir Hazar Khan Bijarani and Minister for Science and Technology Azam Khan Swati, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Nawabzada Malik Amad Khan, PML-N MNA Ms Anusha Rehman and Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir. The Indian delegation included Foreign Minister SM Krishna, Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon, National Security Adviser MK Narayanan and Special Secretary Vivek Katju. Gilani and Manmohan last met in August 2008 on the sidelines of 15th SAARC summit in Colombo and agreed to resolve all outstanding issues and promoting the confidence building measures. The two countries have so far held four rounds of the Composite Dialogue beginning in early 2004 and has seen its share of ups and downs. The fifth round stalled only after a few meetings following the terrorist attack on the Indian embassy in Kabul in July and the Mumbai attacks in November 2008. The two sides managed to break the ice after a meeting between President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on June 17 as they met on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Yekaterinburg in Russia.