India, Pakistan decide to resume dialogue at ministers' level

[jha]

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THIMPHU: Breaking the ice, India and Pakistan on Thursday decided to resume dialogue at the level of foreign ministers as Prime Ministers Manmohan Singh and Yousuf Raza Gilani met here in their first substantive engagement in less than a year.

During their meeting, Singh and Gilani decided that the channels of dialogue between the two countries should be kept open to restore "trust and confidence" in the bilateral relationship.

This was their first meeting after their dialogue in Sharm-el-Sheik in Egypt on July 16, 2009 following which a major controversy had broken out in India on the contents of the joint statement.

Terrorism and the "slow progress" of Pakistan's probe into Mumbai attacks formed part of the agenda of the discussions which were held at the 'Bhutan House' here on the margins of the SAARC Summit. The two leaders first met accompanied by their delegations which was followed by a one-on-one meeting and then again by delegations.

"The prime ministers held very good talks in a free and frank manner. They agreed that cooperation between the two countries is vital for the people of South Asia to realise their destiny," foreign secretary Nirupama Rao told reporters.

"Prime Minister expressed India's concern over the slow progress of Mumbai trial in Pakistan to Prime Minister Gilani," Rao said.

Singh told Gilani that India was willing to discuss all issues of mutual concern through dialogue but the issue of terrorism is holding back the progress, she said.

It was decided by the two prime ministers that foreign ministers and foreign secretaries of the two countries should meet as soon as possible to "restore trust and confidence" in the relations, said Rao.

Pakistan foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi told a news conference that the meeting between the two leaders ended on a positive note and he would be engaging with his Indian counterpart S M Krishna at an appropriate time.

He also welcomed home minister P Chidambaram to Islamabad on June 26 for the SAARC home minister's conference.

Qureshi said the meeting has "changed the climate" between the two countries.

Asked whether the foreign ministers-level talks amounted to resumption of the Composite Dialogue process between the two countries, Rao said she does not want to get into details about the nomenclature of the talks.

To another question, she declined to go into details of the issues that would constitute the talks, saying "all concerns" would be discussed.

Rao said Gilani also assured Singh that Pakistan's territory would be not be allowed to be used for terrorism directed against India.

She said the two leaders agreed that the foreign ministers would be charged with the responsibility of working out the modalities of creating trust and confidence in the relationship for a substantive dialogue "in which all matters of concern" would be discussed.

After their Sharm-el-Seikh meeting, Singh and Gilani had met a couple of times in Washington but it was just for handshake.

The Joint Statement after the Sharm-el-Sheikh meeting had created a storm in India with the opposition attacking the government as it appeared to delink resumption of dialogue and Pakistan's action against terrorism, especially those involved in the Mumbai attacks.

It had also made a reference to Balochistan, where Pakistan alleges India is fomenting trouble.

Asked whether Balochistan was discussed during today's meeting, she said it was not raised.

"To the best of my knowledge, the issue was not raised. But we hope that Pakistan is well aware that India does not interfere in the internal affairs of either countries," she said.

Rao said there was no evidence to suggest India's involvement in Balochistan.

The foreign secretary said the Prime Minister told Gilani that Pakistan has to control and eliminate the "terror machine" that operates from its soil.

She said the two leaders felt that for progress in normalisation of relations dialogue was the only way forward in the interest of the people of two countries and the region.

Asked about the dates for the meeting, Rao said the two sides have not agreed on the schedule for the talks, but the instructions of the two Prime Ministers are that the foreign ministers and foreign secretaries should meet as soon as possible.

To a question why the two sides did not hold a joint press conference, Qureshi said "I don't think either side was expecting such a positive turn today. But I can assure you very soon I can provide a joint interaction."

"It was a very positive meeting. A step in the right direction," Qureshi said.

Qureshi said the two prime ministers had acknowledged the "trust deficit" between the two countries.

India, Pakistan decide to resume dialogue at ministers' level - India - The Times of India

[ARCHON]

We dont expect anything other than a

[AnGrz_Z_K_Jailer]

^^^^

But mate .... dialogues are very important to build trust, we need to sort out our difference ASAP ....

regards
Jailer

[Agni 5]

oh no, not again.

No dialog please.

[James007]

one incident or one blunt message , they will have to reboot the computer

[ajpirzada]

really gud news. its time we move on and cooperate with each other instead of fighting to prove which country is toughest when it comes to gettin their demands met.

great news

[Windjammer]

Suffice to say that India may have realized that Pakistan is not a country which will buckle under any pressure nor will it accept any form of dictation, hence if you can't beat them then join them.
Meaning full bilateral dialogue is beneficial to both respective countries.

[James007]

Suffice to say that India may have realized that Pakistan is not a country which will buckle under any pressure nor will it accept any form of dictation, hence if you can't beat them then join them.
Meaning full bilateral dialogue is beneficial to both respective countries.

pressure etc things are baseless,actual thing is u.s a game maker behind this,pak requests to u.s 4 the talks which india doesnt want,u.s pressurizes india,and india in return talks to pak.bur they will be fruitless coz directly or indirectly pak will divert the topic to kashmir,bal'stan ,water issues.the result will be same as we have seen in past,so this cycle continues till u.s interst like iran ,afg-pak ,are not completed.nothing will be accomplished.india is just listening to u.s bcz india needs permission of u.s in afg.and india is ready to become u.s ally,with soviet friendship.things like india buckling under pressure are part of the strategy,once target is completed ,condition will be turn around

[deckingraj]

Suffice to say that India may have realized that Pakistan is not a country which will buckle under any pressure nor will it accept any form of dictation, hence if you can't beat them then join them.
Meaning full bilateral dialogue is beneficial to both respective countries.

Not sure about your remark because i do not see any change in India's position...

Meeting on the sidelines of the SAARC summit, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Pakistani counterpart, Yusuf Raza Gilani, decided to ask their Foreign Ministers and Foreign Secretaries to first discuss the modalities of restoring trust and confidence in bilateral ties

.

The Hindu : Front Page : India and Pakistan put dialogue back on track

How do you read meeting of Foreign Ministers and secretaries to first discuss modalities of restoring trust other than India's concern of acting against terrorists as far as Indian perspective is concerned???

MMS would be extra cautious this time because in Sharm-e-Sheikh his actions resulted in a storm in Parliament...Regarding handling pressure if it makes you happy then live with that delusion...however truth is Uncle Sam big stick is enough to keep both the countries checked....

[forcetrip]

THIMPHU: .

Rao said Gilani also assured Singh that Pakistan's territory would be not be allowed to be used for terrorism directed against India.
It had also made a reference to Balochistan, where Pakistan alleges India is fomenting trouble.

Asked whether Balochistan was discussed during today's meeting, she said it was not raised.

"To the best of my knowledge, the issue was not raised. But we hope that Pakistan is well aware that India does not interfere in the internal affairs of either countries," she said.

Rao said there was no evidence to suggest India's involvement in Balochistan.

This clapping will need two hands.. if both countries say no terror will originate from either borders then lets get on with the talks.. Talks are always good, nothing bad ever happens with talks.

[jit onet]

I hope at least this time the peace talks result in true lasting peace.

Oh by the way, to myself!

[Prometheus]

I hope at least this time the peace talks result in true lasting peace.

Oh by the way, to myself!

to

Plz use Into section for introduction.

welcome again

[Raje amar]

This clapping will need two hands.. if both countries say no terror will originate from either borders then lets get on with the talks.. Talks are always good, nothing bad ever happens with talks.

As long as PAKISTAN assures not allowing any anti Indian element (State & NON STATE) to use its teritory (INCLUDING P*K) India is always there for a composit dilog.

[IceCold]

Waste of both time and resources. Mujha to apni government ki be samaj nahi atti. Yeh pata nahi kya prove karna chala hain.

---------- Post added at 07:55 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:54 PM ----------

As long as PAKISTAN assures not allowing any anti Indian element (State & NON STATE) to use its teritory (INCLUDING P*K) India is always there for a composit dilog.

A composite dialogue that leads to no where.

[jit onet]

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In my view, even if 'talks' don't immediately result in specific results, just the fact that the two parties are meeting is better than diplomacy by press. Without such talks, public are more easily mislead by extremist elements interpreting events to them.