New Delhi, July 27 (ANI): Foreign Ministers of India and Pakistan and their respective delegations have reportedly discussed a number of confidence-building measures (CBMs) to boost bilateral ties between the two countries.
According to sources, among the CBMs discussed have been an easing of trade restrictions, providing multiple-entry visas, the opening of new entry points on both sides of Kashmir and women cricket tours. Further details are expected to be relayed during the joint press conference.
The foreign ministers of the two countries met here this morning, a day after the foreign secretaries of the two countries met to decide on the agenda that wille taken up.
A number of issues are likely to figure in the talks, including counter-terrorism measures, the Kashmir issue, new confidence building measures to help bilateral relations move forward and bringing the perpetrators of the 26/11 terror attack on Mumbai to justice.
Pakistan Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar arrived in New Delhi on Tuesday and expressed the hope that both countries can and would "move forward" as good neighbours with a stake in each other's future. "
She also expressed the hope that Pakistan and India "have learnt lessons from history, but are not burdened by history and we can move forward as good, friendly neighbours who have stake in each other's future and both the countries understand their responsibilities to the region and within the region."
Prior to her talks with Indian External Affairs Minister S.M.Krishna, Khar stirred controversy in Indian government circles by meeting Kashmiri separatist leaders at the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi last evening.
She is said to have met Democratic Freedom Party (DPF) chairman Shabir Ahmad Shah, All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) chief (hardline faction) Syed Ali Shah Geelani, All Party Hurriyat Conference chairman (moderate faction) Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chairman Yasin Malik.
Geelani, after the meeting, told media persons he had raised the Kashmir issue with Khar.
While the delegation led by hardliner Geelani did not appear enthused about the talks, the moderate Hurriyat faction led by Mirwaiz Umer Farooq welcomed the exercise saying the talks were necessary for resolving all issues.
Farooq said "we support the dialogue between the two countries... Kashmir issue has to be addressed in accordance with the wishes and aspiration of the people of Kashmir. It is important and imperative for the Kashmir leadership to be part of the discourse".
Farooq said: "We are happy about the meeting and we hope that they can take the process forward and that they will see to it that the road to peace, the road to development, the road to a better and brighter future in South Asia leads through Kashmir."
On Tuesday, Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao and her Pakistani counterpart Salman Bashir had very cordial and positive discussions, during which they reviewed the progress in talks between different ministries and organizations of the two countries in the preceding months.
Building on the official-level talks, External Affairs Minister S M Krishna and his Pakistani counterpart Hina Rabbani Khar will discuss all aspects of the bilateral relations, with a particular focus on issues like terrorism, Jammu and Kashmir, trade and promotion of bilateral exchanges. A joint statement is expected after Wednesday's meeting. (ANI)
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