Pakistan and India have agreed to de-link the composite dialogue between the two countries from terrorism. The dialogue process was stalled in November last in the wake of Mumbai attacks.
“It should not be linked to the composite dialogue process and these should not be bracketed.” This has been asserted in the joint statement issued here at Martim Hotel after three hours of talks between Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani and his Indian counterpart Dr Manmohan Singh.
No schedule has been given for resumption of the composite dialogue, but the two foreign ministers will hold a meeting in September on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) annual summit.
Following the three-hour meeting, Gilani said he has drawn the attention of the Indian prime minister to the complaints regarding Indian interference in Balochistan, where a low-intensity insurgency is under way. Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir and his Indian counterpart Shiv Shankar Menon had lengthy deliberations before the joint statement was finalised. The issue of interference in Balochistan by India has come up in the Indo-Pak prime ministers’ talks for the first time.
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said India was ready to discuss all issues with Pakistan, including all outstanding issues, the statement added. The 37-liner joint statement said both leaders agreed that terrorism was the main threat to both countries. Both affirmed their resolve to fight terrorism and to cooperate with each other to this end.
Singh reiterated the need to bring the perpetrators of the Mumbai attacks to justice. Gilani assured that Pakistan would do everything in its power in this regard. He said Pakistan has provided an updated dossier on the investigations into the Mumbai attacks and had sought additional information/evidence. Singh said the dossier is being reviewed.
In yet another significant development, the joint statement said both leaders agreed that the two countries would 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. Both prime ministers recognised that dialogue is the only way forward. Action on terrorism should not be linked to the Composite Dialogue process and these should not be bracketed. Indian Prime Minister Singh said India was ready to discuss all issues with Pakistan, including all outstanding issues.
To some, the inclusion of Balochistan in the joint statement has internationalised the issue, what have you got to say?
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