Pakistan and India have reaffirmed the commitment to resolve all outstanding issues including the core issue of Jammu and Kashmir through a comprehensive, serious and sustained dialogue process.
The understanding came during a meeting between foreign ministers of
the two countries in New Delhi here on Wednesday. Foreign Minister Hina
Rabbani Khar represented Pakistan while the Indian side was led by its
External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna in the dialogue which reviewed
the progress of the dialogue process since its resumption in February
this year.
During the meeting, both the sides agreed that terrorism poses a
common threat to the peace and security and reiterated the firm
commitment to fight and eliminate this scourge in all its forms and
manifestation.
Both the sides agreed on the need to strengthen capacity on counter
terrorism to bring those responsible for terrorism to justice.
On Jammu and Kashmir, both the countries agreed to continue the
discussion with a view to finding a peaceful solution by narrowing
divergences and building convergences. For the welfare of the people on
both sides of the LOC, the two sides agreed to take additional measures
on cross LOC travel and trade.
Both the foreign ministers agreed that increase in trade and
economic cooperation will be mutually beneficial and decided to resume
the work on Indo-Pakistan joint commission in this regard.
The two foreign ministers also decided that they will meet again in
Islamabad in the first half of next year to review the progress on the
dialogue process.
Later addressing a joint news conference, Foreign Minister Ms Hina
Rabbani Khar expressed satisfaction over the outcome of the meeting
saying this is a new era of bilateral relations between the two
countries and it is our desire to make it an uninterruptible process of
engagement.
She said that Pakistan and India are not only close neighbors but
also have a special responsibility to promote stability and peace, and
work for the prosperity of the region.
She reiterated that Islamabad desires to open a new chapter of
amity and seeks friendly, cooperative and good neighborly relations
with India. To achieve this objective there is a dire need to build
mutual trust and infuse greater political will in resolving all
outstanding issues through peaceful means. She said both the countries
should continue to carry forward the process of engagement to deepen
understanding of each other’s stated positions and future aspirations.
She stated that it is in the national interest of both the countries to
have cooperative friendly relationship.
Expressing satisfaction over the holding of subject specific
meetings, she said both the sides during the talks today have agreed to
continue this process as there is no alternative to the dialogue and
constructive engagement.
Indian External Affairs Minister S. M. Krishna in his remarks said
that relations between the two countries are on the right track. He
said there is some distance to be traveled by us but with an open mind
and constructive approach we can achieve the goal of having a friendly
and cooperative relationship.
The Indian external affairs minister said that normalization of
relations between the two neighborly countries is imperative for peace,
progress and prosperity of the two countries and the region.
Meanwhile in a joint statement issued after meeting of the two
foreign ministers in New Delhi, they underlined the need for sustained
effort by both countries to build a relationship of trust and mutually
beneficial cooperation.
Pakistan and India have affirmed the importance of carrying forward
the dialogue process with a view to resolving peacefully all
outstanding issues through constructive and result oriented engagement,
and to establish friendly, cooperative and good neighborly relations.
The Ministers noted with satisfaction the fact that since the
resumption of dialogue earlier this year, the process of release of
prisoners and fishermen from both sides has continued.
In this regard, the Ministers agreed with the recommendations of the
Judicial Committee on Prisoners regarding early repatriation of the
prisoners who have completed their sentences and whose travel documents
are available. They agreed for adoption of a humane approach in dealing
with cases of fishermen, women, elderly, juvenile prisoners, prisoners
terminally ill or suffering from serious illness or physical / mental
disability and and the need to monitor the welfare of prisoners in
order to ensure their humane treatment.
The Ministers attached importance to promoting peace and security,
including Confidence Building Measures, between India and Pakistan and
agreed to convene separate meetings of the Expert Groups on Nuclear and
Conventional CBMs, in Islamabad in September this year.
The Ministers held discussions on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir and
agreed to the need for continued discussions, in a purposeful and
forward looking manner, with a view to finding a peaceful solution by
narrowing divergences and building convergences.
On Cross-LoC trade and travel facilitation for Jammu and Kashmir
the Ministers decided various measures. Under the understanding, the
list of 21 products of permissible items for Cross-LoC trade will be
respected by both sides. The Working Group will review the trading list
with a view to further specifying permissible items to facilitate
intra-Jammu and Kashmir Cross-LoC trade. Both sides will provide
adequate facilities at the trade facilitation centres on each side.
The number of trading days stand enhanced from 2 to 4 days per week.
Truck movements shall take place on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and
Fridays, both on Srinagar-Muzaffarabad and Poonch-Rawalakot routes.
The Designated Authorities will resolve operational issues concerning cross-LoC trade through regular interaction.
Regular meetings between the Chambers of Commerce and traders of
both sides will be facilitated. Existing telephone communication
facilities should be strengthened.
The meetings of the Designated Authorities will be held alternately
at the Terminal of the Crossing Points on both sides of the LoC every
quarter or as and when deemed necessary.
Cross-LoC travel would be expanded on both sides of the LoC to
include visits for tourism and religious pilgrimage. In this regard,
the modalities will be worked out by both sides.
Facilities including waiting area, terminal and clearing procedures
at the operational crossing points will be streamlined by both sides
for smooth Cross-LoC travel.
The Cross-LoC bus service between Srinagar-Muzaffarabad and Poonch-Rawalakot routes will henceforth run on every Monday.
Application forms and requisite documentation in respect of travel
across LoC will be exchanged by email between Designated Authorities of
both sides. Such email transfer of application forms will be backed up
by hard copies. Both sides will expedite the processing time for
applications, which shall not be more than 45 days.
Six month multiple entry cross-LoC travel permits will be allowed by
the Designated Authorities after completion of the required formalities
at an early date.
Coordination meetings between the Designated Authorities will be
held at the Terminals alternately on both sides of the LoC every
quarter or as and when deemed necessary.
It was agreed that the Joint Working Group will henceforth meet on a
bi-annual basis to review existing arrangements and suggest additional
measures for Cross-LoC travel and trade.
The Ministers emphasized the importance of early establishment of a
non-discriminatory trade regime between the two countries, including
reduction/removal of tariff and non-tariff barriers.
The Ministers agreed that discussions will continue on Siachen,
Wullar Barrage/Tulbul Navigation Project and Sir Creek to find a
mutually acceptable solution to these issues. They reaffirmed their
commitment to the Indus Waters Treaty.
The Ministers also emphasized promotion of 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 Ministers decided to resume the work of the India-Pakistan Joint
Commission and agreed that the Technical Level Working Groups should
hold their meetings to identify avenues of further cooperation in these
fields.
It was also decided that the Foreign Ministers will meet again in
Islamabad in the first half of 2012 to review progress in the dialogue
process. SANA
