The Parliamentarians from India and Pakistan met in New Delhi on August 18-19 in their
second round of the India-Pakistan Parliamentarians Dialogue. They were
in complete agreement that it is in the joint and respective interest
of both countries that peace, security and stability be established
between the two countries, adding that Pakistani and Indian governments
should implement the nine recommendations reached in the dialogues.
To this end, Parliamentarians from Pakistan and India noted with
considerable satisfaction that in the past seven months since the first
session of the Parliamentarians Dialogue in Islamabad in January 2011,
the intergovernmental dialogue has been resumed.
Noting further that Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Hina Rabbani Khar,
stated at the end of the dialogue in New Delhi with her Indian
counterpart, Indian External Affairs Minister, SM. Krishna, that the
dialogue between the two countries should be “un-interrupted and
un-interruptible.” The Parliamentarians attending the second round of
India-Pakistan Parliamentarians Dialogue requested the Indian and
Pakistani Co Chairs of the Dialogue to suitably convey to their
respective Governments the following suggestion for further
consideration and action:
The Parliamentarians stress the imperative of consolidating the
outcome of the Composite Dialogue, which has been taking place over the
last 14 years in to further agreements and to continue forward in an
uninterrupted and uninterruptible manner.
While recognizing that some progress has been made in the formal
processes of the Dialogue, the Parliamentarians recognize that peace,
security and development require the resolution of outstanding issues.
It is of the highest importance that the progress made so far be
consolidated by urgently addressing, through the dialogue, all
outstanding issues including Jammu and Kashmir, Siachen and Sir Creek
as also the challenge of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations
including the follow-up of 26/11 Mumbai terrorist attacks.
As there are wide spread concerns in Pakistan about the persistence
of water problems relating to the flow of water during sowing season
and timely sharing of information in the Indus Basin, the
Parliamentarians urge upon both Governments that such concerns be
addressed within the framework of the Indus Waters Treaty 1960. The
Treaty has stood the test of time. The Parliamentarians urged upon both
the Governments that it be complied with in letter and spirit and the
problems and the concerns in Pakistan be addressed to ensure the
continuation of a cooperative joint approach to the resolution of these
concerns.
The Parliamentarians agreed to discuss among themselves issues
related to energy security, including the proposed Iran-Pakistan-India
gas pipeline, and urge their Governments to do likewise.
Economic ties, related to both trade and investment, should be
boosted through the easing or removal of restrictions and
considerations of a preferential duty regime.
People to people contact were recognized as the single most
important confidence building measure. In this regard following
specific recommendations were made by Parliamentarians:
Implementation of agreements to open new transit routes across the
Line of Control in Kashmir and at Khokhrapar-Monabao, as also
commencing additional flights, easing travel restrictions is of the
utmost importance and visa regimes to be implemented keeping in
perspective those extended to friendly countries. The Parliamentarians
believed that early action should be taken bilaterally to introduce
various categories such as “trusted visitors programmes” to include
categories such as elected representatives, senior citizens, business
persons, cultural and sports personalities, accredited journalists,
former diplomats and various categories of students and researchers.
Where feasible, multiple entry, 10-year, no-city restrictions and no
police reporting should be urgently pursued.
In order to promote friendly exchanges, cultural events should be
encouraged through the removal of remaining restrictions on music and
cinema and the showing of television programmes should be allowed in
both the countries beginning with entertainment channels.
To promote further friendly exchanges, it was also recommended that
sporting contacts involving not only major but minor sports should be
encouraged.
International roaming facility on mobile telephony should be
available bilaterally. Pakistan and India should also be connected via
optic fiber link.
A Parliamentary Committee on both sides should be set-up to undertake issues relating to prisoners and fishermen.
To lead dialogue deliberations to fruitition, the participating
Parliamentarians agreed that following steps should be taken in both
countries:
Transmission of the outcome of the dialogue to the Presiding Officers of the Parliaments in the two countries.
Participating Parliamentarians to brief Governments on two sides;
raising and resolution of relevant issues through the respective Houses
and Standing Committees of both Parliaments
To promote constituency of Peace in the two countries, participating Parliamentarians, instead of highlighting differences and carrying on negative stereotypes of each other in the media, would focus on building bridges to move forward with dialogue, understanding and trust.
To promote constituency of Peace in the two countries, participating Parliamentarians, instead of highlighting differences and carrying on negative stereotypes of each other in the media, would focus on building bridges to move forward with dialogue, understanding and trust.
The Parliamentarians were of the view that the bilateral dialogue
might also address matters of common regional concerns; meanwhile the
Parliamentarians resolved to continue the Dialogue. SANA
