Indo-Pakistani talks end without results
The four-day foreign secretary-level talks between India and Pakistan
have ended in New Delhi without achieving any results and the
countries have decided to continue discussions in Islamabad on
dates to be mutually decided.
After the final round of talks on Monday morning, March 31, Foreign
Secretary Salman Haider said the two sides held intensive discussions
on all issues on which there were differences. He claimed the
talks were in all seriousness, in a frank, cordial and constructive
atmosphere.
Asked whether the withdrawal of the Congress support to the United
Front government affected the talks, Haider said "We were
able to continue our work." About Kashmir, he said both sides
stated their known positions once again.
Haider confirmed that foreign ministers of the two countries would
meet during the Non-Aligned Movement ministerial meeting to be
held in New Delhi on April 7 and 8. This would be followed by
a meeting between the two prime ministers during the SAARC summit
to be held in May in Male. The next round of foreign secretary
levels talks are most likely to take place after the SAARC summit.
He said the two sides discussed the modalities and structure for
future negotiations. ''We have covered a good deal of common ground
which we were able to identify.''
Asked whether a proposal to set up working groups to deal with
various issues came up, Haider said ''It was considered in the
context of the discussions on modalities for future talks.''
On the discussion of the eight non-papers which had been tabled
for some time, he said the issues contained in them did figure.
Replying to a question, Haider said the nuclear issue did not
come up for discussion.
On whether the Pakistani side gave any indication that it was
ready to reciprocate India's gesture to liberalise the visa regime,
he said ''The issue was not discussed but we certainly do look
to liberalisation of the visa regime.''
On whether there was any discussion on the Siachen Glacier in
the context of Pakistan's army chief's remarks on the subject,
he said ''We did discuss Siachen but not in the context of anyone's
remarks.''
Replying to another query, the foreign secretary ruled out any
third party mediation between India and Pakistan on the Kashmir
issue.
A brief joint statement issued at the end of the talks said:
"Pursuant to the exchange of messages between the prime ministers
of India and Pakistan, the foreign secretaries of Pakistan and
India, His Excellency Shamshad Ahmad and His Excellency Shri Salman
Haidar, met in New Delhi from 28 to 31 March, 1997. During his
stay in New Delhi, the Pakistan foreign secretary was received
by the prime minister of India, His Excellency Shri H D Deve Gowda.
The foreign secretary of Pakistan also called on the minister
of external affairs, Shri I K Gujral. The two foreign secretaries
discussed all outstanding issues of concern to both sides in a
frank, cordial and constructive manner. The foreign secretaries
decided to continue their discussions in Islamabad on dates to
be mutually decided.''
UNI
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