India and Pakistan on Tuesday resumed the composite dialogue after a six-month pause, with New Delhi making it clear that putting an end to terrorism and violence was necessary for building trust and cooperation.
External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, who arrived in Islamabad on a two-day visit, said India approaches the next round of talks in a spirit of cooperation, trust and pragmatism.
"This is predicated on an atmosphere free from terrorism, violence or the threat of it," he said.
The minister expressed confidence that the 'new democratic environment' would help in addressing various issues related to peace, stability and economic development.
Mukherjee, who will hold talks with his counterpart Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Wednesday in first high-level contact with the new dispensation in Islamabad, cited the 'tragic assassination' of former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto to emphasise to Islamabad the need for ending cross-border terrorism.
"Her (Bhutto's) loss is still a fresh wound. Not just Pakistan, but our entire region has lost a charismatic leader of great promise, foresight and capability," he said about Bhutto in a carefully-worded statement to media at the Chakala Air Base near Islamabad on his arrival from Delhi.
He landed in Pakistan as the two countries resumed the composite dialogue, with Foreign Secretaries Shivshankar Menon and Salman Bashir discussing terrorism, Kashmir and various confidence building measures while reviewing the fourth round of dialogue.
The Indian side is understood to have voiced its concern over continued cross-border terrorism and infiltration.
"For the sake of our collective futures, we (India and Pakistan) must work together to combat the menace of terrorism," Mukherjee said, adding "that would be a fitting tribute to Bhutto's memory and legacy".
Mukherjee, who met leaders of ruling PPP Asif Ali Zardari and PML-N Nawaz Sharif soon after his arrival, noted that his visit was taking place 'amidst a new democratic environment of great promise'.
Pointing out that the composite dialogue had made 'considerable progress' so far, he said: "We approach the next round in a spirit of cooperation, trust and pragmatism. This is predicated on an atmosphere free from terrorism, violence or the threat of it."
"The present environment, I am sure, will help us in addressing various issues related to peace, stability and economic development," the external affairs minister said.
Noting that several proposals in the political, economic and regional fields are on the 'anvil for consideration and implementation', he expressed confidence that his talks with the Pakistani leaders would be useful in furthering peace, stability, people-to-people contacts and accelerated economic development of both the countries as well as the region.
"In my discussions with Foreign Minister Qureshi, I hope to consolidate the progress made in our relationship, which provides a good basis for the fifth round of composite dialogue," Mukherjee said at the airport.
Besides holding talks with Qureshi, Mukherjee will meet President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani in Islamabad on Wednesday before winding up his two-day visit.
The Foreign Secretaries held an hour-long restricted meeting followed by delegation-level talks covering cross-border terrorism, Kashmir, Siachen, Sir Creek and various CBMs like more cross-LoC bus services and people-to-people contacts.
"The Foreign Secretaries expressed satisfaction at the progress made so far and exchanged views on carrying forward the composite dialogue process," a joint press statement issued after the talks said.
The Foreign Secretaries set the agenda of talks between Mukherjee and Qureshi on Wednesday.
The Indian side is understood to have voiced concern over continued cross-border terrorism, the renewed infiltration bids and firing incidents at LoC and International Border in Jammu and Kashmir.
New Delhi also pressed for launch of more cross-LoC bus services and early operationalisation of the truck service between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad.
The dialogue, which began in 2004, has helped in improvement of bilateral relations and the Indian side is keen to take it forward with the new government, picking up from where it was left during Musharraf regime.
India maintains that it is ready to address all issues with Pakistan, including Jammu and Kashmir, through talks but insists that atmosphere of peace is essential for the success of the dialogue process.
Image: Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon (left) with his Pakistani counterpart Salman Bashir and Pakistan's High Commissioner to India Shahid Malik in Islamabad on Tuesday.
Text: PTI | Photograph: Jay Mandal/On Assignment
