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Posts Tagged ‘Salman Bashir’

Pak, India agree to insulate dialogue from terrorism

June 24th, 2010 | No Comments


ISLAMABAD – Foreign Secretaries of Pakistan and India claimed Thursday to have bridged the trust deficit and that the upcoming talks between the leadership of two nuclear-armed neighbours would yield desired results.
“People across the border want peace and friendly relations between two countries, we have to ensure it and we are optimistic to do the same,” said Foreign Secretaries of Pakistan and India during a press briefing in the Foreign Office.
Contrary to what both of the foreign Secretaries told the representatives of local and foreign media during their jointly addressed press conference, the analysts say that they are expecting no progress in the days to come.
With Pakistan wanting India to broaden the scope of talks in terms of giving ‘Kashmir issue’ the central position and when the Cross border Terrorism tops India’s agenda including taking action against LeT, one wonders how can Foreign Secretaries claim to have overcome the differences to improve the trust deficit between them, Foreign policy experts and analysts questioned when contacted.
According to the foreign policy experts, doubts had already been cast over the outcome of the ongoing meeting, after the Indian side insisted Pakistan to take action against LeT while Pakistan once again played the Kashmir card.
Inside sources informed TheNation on Thursday that Pakistan also wanted India to reduce the Indian troops from the border.
When questioned, Nirupama made it loud and clear that India was willing to resume the composite dialogue which was meaningful and comprehensive. It is pertinent to mention here that the foreign secretaries of India have met for the second time this year.
Earlier, both Salman Bashir and Nirupama had led their delegations during the secretary-level meetings in New Delhi on 25th February 2010 and which bore no fruit.
However, it is noteworthy here that in the second meeting both Nirupama and Salman admitted that they had been tasked by Prime ministers Manmohan Singh and Yousuf Raza Gilani to find ways to bridge the trust deficit and prepare the ground for a meeting of the foreign ministers on July 15.
According to a press note issued by the Foreign Office, Indian Foreign Secretary, Ms. Nirupama Rao also called on the Foreign Minister and conveyed best wishes of Indian External Affairs Minister S. M. Krishna.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi said Pakistan desired friendly and cooperative relations with India. The Government of Pakistan would like to continue to work with the Government of India to resolve all the outstanding issues peacefully and in a just manner, he said.
Agencies add – Pakistan and India Thursday agreed that dialogue was ‘the best way forwardÂ’ and it should not get derailed by theÂ’terrorist elementsÂ’.
“We must deny terrorist elements any opportunity to derail prospects to improve the relationship,” Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao said after holding talks with her Pakistani counterpart Salman Bashir in Islamabad. Bashir in response said: “We will not allow terrorists space to act against each other.”.
“We believe that dialogue is the best way forward,” Rao said at a packed joint news conference. She clearly indicated that the talks were the harbinger of closer dialogue between India and Pakistan in the coming months. “During our discussions, we have accepted the modalities for restoring trust and confidence for comprehensive sustained and meaningful dialogue,” added Rao, reported Indian meda.
However, she demurred from stating that this was a resumption of the Comprehensive Dialogue. “You must focus that dialogue is the best option for deepening relationship. It is not an issue of nomenclature,” said Rao.
Her Pakistani counterpart Salman Bashir described the talks as being marked with ‘great deal of cordiality, sincerity and earnestness’. “I would like to borrow a phrase from Nirupama Rao, that this has been a good essay in mutual comprehension,” Bashir said.
Bashir said both the countries were discussing ways to cooperate in counter-terrorism, which would be discussed in detail at the meeting of Indian Home Minister P Chidambaram and his Pakistani counterpart Rehman Malik Saturday.
Indian and Pakistani diplomats also pledged to strive for sustained dialogue to get their fragile relations back on track and deny militants space to derail reconciliation efforts.
Both secretaries also held talks to craft the agenda for a meeting of their ministers on July 15. Both sides said the talks were marked by “a great deal of cordiality, sincerity and earnestness,” that will pave the way for a more comprehensive dialogue, signalling a possible – and unexpected – thaw.
“Pakistan and India should work towards restoring confidence and building trust with a view to making it possible to have a comprehensive, sustained and meaningful dialogue,” Bashir said.
“After this engagement, I feel much more optimistic about a good outcome at the ministerial level and good prospects for the two countries in terms of our relationship.”
He said it was agreed that the two countries would work towards restoring confidence and trust with a view to making it possible to have comprehensive, sustained and substantive dialogue.
He said the two sides also agreed to move forward from “rhetoric” to effectively cooperate to address the issue of terrorism that was impacting them and the region.
Both the foreign secretaries said the talks had been helpful in understanding each otherÂ’s position and covered a range of issues to prepare for the meeting of the foreign ministers.

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Pak snubs US over Iran gas pipeline deal

June 20th, 2010 | No Comments


MULTAN/ISLAMABAD – Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi hoped on Sunday that the curbs being imposed on Iran would not affect Pak-Iran gas pipeline agreement.
Rejecting concerns over the gas line project, the Foreign Minister, while addressing a news conference here at Multan Airport, said that the agreement was the need of Pakistan in view of loadshedding and energy crisis. “But delivering any final statement on this issue will be premature. We want this agreement to sustain. We have to look after our interest but at the same time we don’t want to violate international laws,” he added.
He said US special representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke was also asked the question on the same issue but he kept mum as the American team was not clear whether or not this agreement came under UN sanctions.
Meanwhile, US Special Envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke has asked Pakistan to wait for the upcoming US legislation for the imposition of new and stricter sanctions over the energy companies of Iran, just hours after his remarks that US has nothing to do with Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline deal.
On Saturday, during a press briefing jointly addressed by Holbrook and Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, the US Envoy uttered that his country had no objections to recently signed Pakistan-Iran Gas Pipeline project. However, a day later, Holbrook took a U-turn from his earlier statement and warned that Pakistan gas pipeline deal with Iran could be banned by the US in the days to come.
“We cautioned the Pakistanis to try to see what the (Congressional) legislation is before deciding how to proceed because it would be a disaster if … we had a situation develop where an agreement was reached which then triggered something under the law,” said Holbrooke on Sunday.
However, PakistanÂ’s Foreign Office Spokesman Abdul Basit while setting aside HolbrookÂ’s twisting remarks said that the gas deal would not be affected and Pakistan would go ahead with the deal to meet its energy needs.
Basit told this correspondent that the oil and gas sectors were not a part of UN sanction over Iran. However, he said that the sanctions imposed on Iran were imposed by the Security Council, and that Pakistan would respect the sanctions.
Following the recent statement, foreign policy expert opined on Sunday that it seemed as if Pakistan had not talked to US about gas deal with Iran formally.
The statement given by Holbrook was a clear indication that the US was not happy with that deal and did not want Pakistan to pursue it, said some foreign policy experts when contacted.
On the other hand, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi answering another question in Multan, said no discussion was held on installation of reactors by China during his meeting with Holbrooke. He suggested to the journalists to go through a ‘short but comprehensive’ statement issued by Chinese Foreign Office on this issue.
According to Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, American government has permitted import of Pakistani mangoes to US. He anticipated that Multan would become hub of mango export in coming years as mango pulp plant had been installed in industrial estate while an international airport was also being constructed.
Answering yet another question on Benazir murder case, he said it was a matter of utmost national importance and no one could neglect it. “But we don’t want to commit witch hunting. We want to do justice. We need efforts at national level besides international assistance to resolve this case,” he added. He said that the investigation was underway and still many persons were to be questioned.
To a query on Kerry-Lugar Bill, he said the payment of installments from US had begun under five-year programme and the focus areas for spending this aid were energy, health, education, women empowerment and social sector. “We have identified projects and ideas besides deciding as to how much and in which sector funds will be spent every year,” he added. He stated that a review meeting was convened in Islamabad during which the heads of all departments were given opportunity to engage with American delegation. “We’ve planned to hold 11 sectoral engagements out of which seven are held while the rest of four will be completed till July 9. We’ll compile the outcome of this engagement in form a dossier and send it to US foreign secretary Hillary Clinton,” he said. He said Ms Clinton was due in Pakistan in July and the final decision on to-be-executed projects would be made with her consultation.
According to him, the Indian foreign secretary is coming to Pakistan on June 24 to hold meeting with her Pakistani counterpart Salman Bashir. “The motive behind this exercise is to chalk out initial sketch of upcoming July 15 meeting between Pakistani and Indian Foreign ministers,” he added. He further disclosed to the mediamen that Indian interior minister Chidambram plans to visit Pakistan on June 25 during which he would call on his counterpart besides holding meeting with him (Shah Mahmood). He said that both the sides wanted to raise some issues. “Pakistan needn’t get defensive. We’ve terrorism issue to rise with India. We’ll present our viewpoint strongly. We’ll also talk on water issue,” he said.
He asked the nation not to pin hopes with upcoming meetings with Indian officials and adopt a realistic approach. He said trust deficit existed on both the sides-Pakistan and India. He said the upcoming meetings would play important role in bridging the existing gap. He said normalcy in relations with India was in favour of Pakistan. “If we get relief on eastern front, we’ll be able to focus on western border,” he added. He said the situation vis-a-vis western border affected national economy and it forced the government to impose a cut on public service and development fund and spend it on security issues.
Answering a question on Kyrgyzstan crisis, he said the foreign office took immediate steps on the direction of president and prime minister and evacuated all the students from there in 24 hours. He thanked Kyrgyz government and Pakistan Air Force for their cooperation in evacuation of students. He said the future of evacuated students was safe and steps would be taken for them after consulting their parents.
Referring to a report compiled by a professor of London School of Economics on ISI-Taliban links, he described it rubbish. He said the British and American governments, US State department and Gen Petraeus had also rejected this report.
Agencies add: Pakistan should be wary of committing to an Iran-Pakistan natural gas pipeline because anticipated US sanctions on Iran could hit Pakistani companies, the US special representative to the region said on Sunday.
Talking to reporters on Sunday, the US special representative flip-flopped on his earlier statement, warning Pakistan against signing the gas pipeline deal with Iran.
“Pakistan has an obvious, major energy problem and we are sympathetic to that, but in regards to a specific project, legislation is being prepared that may apply to the project,” he said, referring to the pipeline. “We caution the Pakistanis not to over-commit themselves until we know the legislation.”
Pakistan is plagued by chronic electricity shortages that have led to mass demonstrations and battered the government.
US Senator Joseph Lieberman said last week he expects Congress to finish shortly legislation tightening US sanctions on Iran that will include provisions affecting the supply of refined petroleum products to Tehran, and add to sanctions on its financial sector.
Lieberman, an independent, is a member of a House-Senate committee of negotiators working on final details of the bill and said it could pass by July 4.
The $7.6 billion natural gas pipeline deal, signed in March, doesnÂ’t directly deal with refined petroleum products and was hailed in both Iran and Pakistan as highly beneficial.
The US has so far been muted in its criticism of the deal, balancing its need to support Pakistan, a vital but unstable ally in the global war against al-Qaeda, with its desire to isolate Iran.
But the legislation could be comprehensive enough to have major implications for Pakistani companies, Holbrooke said.
“We caution Pakistan to wait and see what the legislation is.”
Iran and Pakistan last week formally signed an export deal, which commits Iran to selling natural gas to its eastern neighbour from 2014.
Iran has already constructed 907 kilometres of the pipeline between Asalooyeh, in southern Iran, and Iranshahr, which will carry natural gas from IranÂ’s giant South Pars field.
The pipeline was originally planned to connect Iran, Pakistan and India, but the latter pulled out of the project last year.
Pakistan plans to use the gas purchased from Iran for its power sector.
This was HolbrookeÂ’s tenth trip to Pakistan since President Barack Obama appointed him special representative to the region. His visit followed a series of working groups this week that are part of the US-Pakistan strategic dialogue, which both countries say will lay the groundwork for a new relationship.
Afghanistan was on the agenda in meetings with the Pakistani leadership, Holbrooke said, including talks on a Pakistani role in talks between the Afghan Taliban and the Kabul government.
But the United States would not support Pakistan pushing the Haqqani network, one of the strongest factions of the Afghan insurgency and mostly based in PakistanÂ’s North Waziristan, into talks with Kabul as Washington sees the group as intransigent, brutal and too tightly allied with al-Qaeda.
The United States has said any groups wishing to lay down their weapons must renounce al-Qaeda and agree to participate peacefully in the Afghan political process.
“It’s just hard to see that happening,” Holbrooke said of the Haqqani network.
Holbrooke acknowledged that Pakistan was trying to fight the Haqqani network in North Waziristan.
“The Pakistanis are trying to deal with this problem, they are well aware of it and even in the area in North Waziristan there is some activity going on, but there is a lot more that could be done if the resources were available.”
Regardless of what happens in Afghanistan, he said, the United States would remain engaged with Pakistan.
“Pakistan matters in and of itself. Whatever happens in Afghanistan, the US cannot turn away from Pakistan again,” he said. “We are not going to repeat the mistakes that occurred – at least not on our watch – of the last 20 years.”

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Meaningless talks end in meaningless way

February 25th, 2010 | No Comments


ISLAMABAD – Rather than doing something serious that might lead to the solution of the disputes between the two nuclear-armed South Asian states, India has handed over two more dossiers to Pakistan.
On the other hand, sources from India informed TheNation on Thursday that Prime Ministers of Pakistan and India were likely to hold a meeting on 28th April following foreign secretary-level talks. A top-level source from Prime Minister Secretariat also confirmed this when contacted by this correspondent.
According to insiders, the meeting lasted for about an hour with photo-op and grip-and-grin in Shastri Bhavan, India. However, contrary to the expectations, the first meeting between senior officials of India and Pakistan since the Mumbai attack is likely to yield no results due to IndiaÂ’s non-cooperative attitude.
“I am happy to meet you, but my mandate is to tell you that the territory of Pakistan must not be used for terrorism,” Indian Foreign Secretary Miss Nirupama Rao told Foreign Secretary Salman when they met before the meeting, sources informed TheNation on Thursday.
When contacted on telephone, spokesperson of Foreign office Abdul Basit confirmed that India had served the Pakistani delegation with two more dossiers on Mumbai attack before talks. However, he declined to share details of fresh dossier when asked.
He further said that Pakistan had raised the issue of Indian involvement in Balochistan and suggested Indian side a peaceful solution of Kashmir, however Indian side, once again, disappointed Pakistan.
“Yes we have conveyed to Indian side our concerns regarding Indian involvement in Balochistan and also suggested India a peaceful solution of Kashmir but there are no positive signs from other side,” Basit told this correspondent from Shastri Bhavan.
However, these developments point to resumption of some sort of talks in near future. Such talks can help ease tensions and stabilise region, however it entirely depends upon Indian attitude, official said.
It is pertinent to note here that William J Burns, the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, in November last nudged India by resurrecting the Kashmir issue in his public remarks, saying that the wishes of the Kashmiri people should be taken into account in any settlement.
When contacted on Thursday, former diplomat Shamshad Ahmad said that success of talks purely depended upon Indian attitude.
Agencies add: No substantial progress was made during secretary-level talks held between Pakistan and India here on Thursday as both sides remained stuck to their guns. Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir while talking to Pakistani press at the High Commission in the evening said the gap between Pakistan and India was widening and he had not seen any substantial progress in the talks.
When asked whether he has invited Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao to Islamabad for talks, he said there was no such proposal. “Pakistan has given some suggestions and India has also submitted proposals during the meeting but I told them that Pakistan wants result-oriented and meaningful dialogue with India”. There is no need of secretary-level talks if India remains stuck to its stand on outstanding issues, he added.
Describing the attitude of India as untenable, he said India was sticking to its stand on issues including that of terrorism while Pakistan wanted that this issue should not make talks hostage. He said PakistanÂ’s role to fight against terrorism had been acknowledged by the world and Pakistan was giving priority to this issue as it was also victim of this menace.
When asked whether there was a deadlock in the talks, he said he would not use this word. “I can not say whether these talks were successful or unsuccessful,” he said. Pakistan wanted good neighbourly relationship with India and wanted to engage New Delhi for “meaningful and result-oriented talks”.
Salman Bashir said Pakistan was enjoying a good position in the world which had better understanding about PakistanÂ’s policies. When asked that the Indian Foreign Secretary had told newsmen that Pakistan had briefly touched Kashmir during the talks, he said he would not subscribe to her views as Kashmir was a core issue and it was raised effectively during the talks.
When asked about the water issue, Salman Bashir said Pakistan had handed over a paper to India on the issue and hoped that India would consider to resolve this issue under the Indus Basin Treaty.
Earlier, addressing a press conference after the talks at the Pakistan High Commission, Salman Bashir said he reaffirmed at the talks that Pakistan wanted good neighbourly relations with New Delhi. He also underscored for greater cooperation including intelligence sharing between both the neighbours to effectively deal with menace of terrorism. Pakistan had already taken up steps against suspects of Mumbai attacks and it would also look into two dossiers handed over by India to Pakistan during the talks which included names of some wanted persons.
Terrorism has global, regional and local dimensions and it should be tackled with close cooperation with each other. Salman Bashir said he himself had given information to Indian High commissioner in Islamabad on terrorism. Salman Bashir said Composite Dialogue process had made achievements including that of cross-LoC trade and movement of Kashmiris. Kashmir issue is also one of the subjects in the dialogue progress which is needed to be resolved for the sake of peace.
Kashmir is a core issue and he told the Indian side that Kashmiris should be included in any future talks on Kashmir and this issue should be resolved for the sake of peace in the nuclearised South Asia.
When asked about the attitude of Indian side on Kashmir issue, he said they explained their stated position on the subject. The Foreign Secretary said he also raised Kashmir issue during his meeting with the Indian National Security Adviser Shivshankar Menon.
He said both the countries were close to resolution of Siachen and Sir Creek issues.
Salman Bashir said that Pakistan-India talks focused extensively not briefly on Kashmir. Hours after Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao and Bashir held parleys, the latter said in a press conference that Pakistan wanted good ties with India and that IndiaÂ’s concerns on terror were valid.
“Kashmir was discussed extensively not briefly… One cannot be really dismissive about the issue of Kashmir; any effort to be dismissive on the issue will not be helpful,” said Bashir minutes after Rao held a press conference.
“We are concerned about human right violations in J&K,” Bashir said.
“It is unfair and unrealistic and, in our view, counterproductive to… keep the focus on that (Mumbai) to stall the process of the broader relationship between the two countries,” Bashir said.
They were the first official talks between the two countries since India suspended dialogue in the wake of the 2008 assault on Mumbai. Urging India to move forward and resume full-fledged peace talks, Bashir warned that neither country could afford to remain disengaged.
“This is a nuclearised region. It is important that India and Pakistan engage on a whole range of issues,” he said. He added in an apparent reference to India’s focus on militancy during the talks, that “Pakistan does not believe that India should lecture us and demand Pakistan does this or that.” He added, “That is not how interstate relations are conducted.”
Earlier, Rao had said the time was not yet ripe to revive the comprehensive dialogue, citing a continuing “trust deficit” following the Mumbai carnage.
“We are not desperate,” Bashir stressed. “If India takes more time to reflect on the modalities of engagement, they will find us ready,” he said.
Bashir also insisted that dealing with terrorism was his government’s “number one priority” and argued that Pakistan was only too aware of the trauma and violence inflicted by terror attacks.
“India has had one 26/11, we have had a 1,000 Mumbais,” he said. “For anyone to think that Pakistan would be dismissive of this problem, he does not have his facts right,” Bashir said.
Reacting to India’s demand to arrest Hafiz Saeed, Bashir said, “The docket given by India on Hafiz Saeed is a piece of literature not a dossier.” “Pakistan looks forward to reversing the tide of regression that has taken place in its relationship with India,” he said. Bashir said Pakistan is willing to address and resolve Siachen and Sir Creek issues which we believe are doable.
“Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has a vision for peaceful and prosperous South Asia.
There is a huge gap between expectations and mistrust that exists between both the countries today. I have come here to bridge those differences,” he said.
“We will continue to ensure that our territory is not used by anyone against us or any other country,” Bashir said. “To create an optics of dialogue without substance means we are not taking relationship seriously or dealing with issues seriously.”
Pakistan accused India of covertly supplying weapons to “militants and terrorists” in Balochistan from Afghanistan. Pakistan Foreign Secretary told reporters that there was “clear evidence of (Indian) activities prejudicial to Pakistan’s security being undertaken from foreign soil, including efforts at destabilisation, supply of weapons to militants and terrorists”.
“We have ample evidence, including photographic evidence, of these activities.”
Pakistan accuses India of using Afghanistan as a base to support insurgents in Balochistan. New Delhi denies the charge.
During the talks with Rao, Bashir said he had stressed “the great importance” Pakistan attached to finding a peaceful solution to the issue of Kashmir.
“Terrorism is a regional, global concern. It’s our concern as well,” Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesman Abdul Basit told reporters shortly before talks began.
“But Kashmir issue is the core. .. It is an issue that continues to bedevil our relationship and not discussing this issue will not do justice to this meeting.”
Indian Foreign Secretary Rao during her press talk told reporters that the first official talks with Pakistan in 14 months had marked a “first step” towards rebuilding trust between the two neighbours.
“We had set out to take a first step towards rebuilding trust and I believe my meeting with the Pakistan foreign secretary constituted that first step,” Rao told reporters.
“We have agreed to remain in touch,” she said, while adding that the time was “not right as yet” to resume a full-fledged peace dialogue as requested by Pakistan. She did not say if there would be a next round of talks.
Rao said she had pressed the Pakistani side on the issue of terrorism and handed over two dossiers requesting further action against those responsible for the attacks, as well as other “fugitives from Indian law” believed to be sheltering in Pakistan.
“I spelt out forthrightly our concerns on terrorism emanating from Pakistan against India,” she said.
While acknowledging steps Pakistan had taken to bring the guilty to book, Rao said she had stressed that India felt these “did not go far enough to unravel the full conspiracy” behind the carnage in Mumbai that left 166 dead.
Rao also stated that she had raised the issues of 26/11 probe, roles of Hafiz Saeed and Illyas Kashmiri, and Pune blasts with her Pakistani counterpart.
She added that Pakistan was informed that India had taken a serious note of JuD rallies.
“I told my counterpart that terrorism cannot advance any cause, but the cause of senseless violence,” she said.
Rao described her aims going into the talks as “modest” but said she had enjoyed “useful, detailed and candid” discussions and noted the “good chemistry” between the two delegations.
The Indian foreign secretary made it clear that India didnÂ’t receive any dossier from Pakistan on Balochistan.
Rao and her Pakistani counterpart met in a former princely palace in a heavily guarded New Delhi neighbourhood that also houses the parliament and the presidential palace.
Rao, wearing a black and red sari, and Bashir in a dark suit shook hands in front of the camera before walking into a sprawling room for a one-on-one meeting followed by delegation-level talks.
The Pakistani delegation comprised Afrasiab, director-general of the South Asia division and a former deputy high commissioner to India, PakistanÂ’s High Commissioner Shahid Malik, Foreign Office spokesperson Abdul Basit and other senior officials.
Rao hosted a lunch for the Pakistani delegation.
The Pakistani delegation was also to call on Indian National Security Adviser Shivshankar Menon, a former foreign secretary and a former Indian envoy to Islamabad, later on Thursday evening.
On Friday morning, the Pakistanis will call on External Affairs Minister SM Krishna before heading back to Islamabad.
Earlier, senior Indian government sources informed that India demanded handing over by Pakistan of founder of Lashker-e-Taiba Hafiz Saeed and seven others, besides some other Indian Mujahideen and Khalistan rebels, reported Times of India.
Two dossiers were handed over to Salman Bashir, sources stated.
In the first dossier, India demanded that besides Saeed, Lashker operatives Muzzamil, Abu Hamza, Abu Khafa and Usman should be handed over to it.
All of them have been named in the chargesheet filed by Mumbai police in connection with the 2008 Mumbai attack.
India also asked Pakistan to hand over Lashker commander Sajid Mir, retired Army Major Iqbal and one more person for questioning as they were still suspects in the 26/11 attack.
The Mumbai terror attack dossier also included a separate demand for handing over of Illyas Kashmiri.
The second dossier demanded handing over of seven Khalistani militants and 17 Indian Mujahideen which includes five Pakistani nationals.
In a retort to Pakistan’s contention that it was “not desperate” for dialogue, India on Wednesday night said it was not desperate for talks.
“These are genuine concerns… We are not lecturing,” the sources said while rebutting BashirÂ’s point that Pakistan did not like to receive sermons. They went on to add that dialogue should not be measured in terms of desperation etc.
The sources rejected Bashir’s contention that issues like Kashmir, Balochistan and water were discussed “extensively” in today’s talks, underlining that 85 percent of the discussions were on terrorism emanating from Pakistan and 10 other issues figured in the remaining 15 percent of the three-hour-long talks.

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Kashmir, water top agenda: Pakistan

February 24th, 2010 | No Comments


LAHORE – Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir maintained on Wednesday that Pakistan’s agenda for talks with India is open in every respect and Kashmir dispute and water issue will be on top of it during today’s (Thursday’s) parleys in New Delhi as both sides exchanged terse allegations over the disputed territory of Kashmir ahead of the meeting.
“We are optimistic about the dialogue and we will discuss all issues. We should not look into it (dialogue) with the angle of ‘success or failure’ and wait for the best. It is premature to speculate about the outcome at this stage,” Salman Bashir told reporters before departure of his delegation to New Delhi, here at Allama Iqbal International Airport.
According to Bashir, Pakistan wants to move forward the current process of talks and has the desire to hold talks at the foreign minister level between the two countries. He said that to say anything about the outcome of negotiations at this stage would be premature and the situation would be clear after the conclusion of talks between the two countries. He rejected the news reports that any change has been made in the delegation and termed it as ‘misunderstanding’.
Bashir said all major issues would be discussed during talks with Indian counterparts. The major issues to be discussed in the talks include counter terrorism, Kashmir dispute and water issue, Salman Bashir said, adding there is no bar from any side to discuss any other issue.
“Any issue can be raised and discussed,” he said. “World knows Pakistan’s efforts and struggle in counter terrorism and international community has recognised Pakistan’s efforts in this regard and India should also realise that it is a global as well as regional issue,” he said. Responding to a question, he stressed the need for continuing the process of composite dialogue and preparation of a road map for future engagements at foreign office level of both the countries.
When he was informed about the arrest of a 13-year-old boy who inadvertently boarded India-bound train from Lahore and was arrested by the Indian authorities, he said this issue would also be raised in the dialogue besides discussing similar issues which are equally important for both the countries.
He pointed out that at “Sharam el Shaikh “ it was agreed between Pakistan and India that terrorism was a common problem and Pakistan has a clear stand vis-a-vis counter terrorism and it would be productive to bracket it in the dialogue.
Responding to another query, he said that after tomorrowÂ’s (Thursday) dialogue there would be more clarity on important issues.
The Foreign Secretary said all issues would be discussed in these meetings and Pakistan would also raise the issue of Kishan-Ganga dam and other important issues. Analysts say the talks could eventually pave the way for the resumption of the formal peace process, broken off after the 2008 Mumbai attacks.
Recently, Indian officials have admitted that one Abu Jindal, an Indian national and a key figure who taught the ten gunmen to speak Hindi and prepare for the attack, is Syed Zabiuddin Ansari from Aurangabad in Maharashtra.
The disclosure that an Indian played a key role in the fedayeen commando attacks on the countryÂ’s commercial capital also caused deep discomfort to New Delhi and the Prime Minister had blamed Pakistan for the atrocity.
“Both the countries are poverty-hit and inflation-stricken. A great number of people are living below poverty line in India (population wise) as compared to Pakistan. Both the South Asian neighbours should resolve all issues through dialogue to promote peace in the entire region,” Muhammad Azhar, advocate of the Supreme Court of Pakistan said.
Observers on Indo-Pak relations are not seeing any breakthrough in the first round of secretary-level talks between the south Asian neighbours, but believed that it would pave way for the resumption of composite dialogue.
Agencies add: Talking to newsmen at Indira Gandhi International Airport upon arrival in New Delhi, Salman Bashir said he was hopeful of positive outcome of Pak-India talks. He said dialogue was a way forward and Pakistan would hold talks with positive mind.
“It is good to be back,” Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir told reporters. “I have come here to bridge the differences (and) I am hopeful of a positive outcome.”
Responding to a question on whether he would raise the issue of Balochistan during the talks, Bashir said all this was part of counterterrorism and could be discussed.
Issuing a statement on BashirÂ’s arrival, Indian External Affairs Ministry said during his stay, the Pakistani Foreign Secretary is also scheduled to call on minister SM Krishna and National Security Advisor Shiv Shankar Menon.
Meanwhile, on the eve of long-awaited talks, Indian border guards in Kashmir said they came under fire from Pakistan on Wednesday, a claim denied by Islamabad.
The conflicting claims coincided with the arrival of the Pakistani foreign secretary in Delhi for the talks.
“The firing from across the border started early morning. A BSF personnel was injured,” Vinod Sharma, a spokesman for the Indian border guards, told Reuters. But Nadeem Raza, a spokesman for Pakistan’s Rangers, told Reuters: “Our troops were not involved in any firing. There may be some problem on their own side.”

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Krishna to discuss diversion of US aid by Pak with Hillary: Sources

September 16th, 2009 | No Comments

External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna will be meeting Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in New York on September 25 to apprise her about the Indian concerns over diversion of US aid by Pakistan for strengthening its defence against India, according to sources.
Sources told ANI that the United States has already conveyed to India through diplomatic [...]

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India flip-flops on peace dialogue

July 16th, 2009 | No Comments


SHARM EL-SHEIKH (Reuters/AFP/APP) – Pakistan and India agreed on Thursday to work together to fight terrorism and ordered their top diplomats to meet as often as needed to try to rebuild ties damaged by last yearÂ’s Mumbai attacks.
But Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, speaking after talks with his Pakistani counterpart Yousuf Raza Gilani in Egypt, ruled out a resumption of formal peace talks, known as the ‘composite dialogue’, that Islamabad has been seeking.
“Composite dialogue cannot begin unless and until terrorist heads which shook Mumbai are properly accounted for, (and) perpetrators of these heinous crimes are brought to book,” Singh told a news conference after talks with Gilani.
“The starting point of any meaningful dialogue with Pakistan has to have their commitment not to let their territory be used for terrorist activities against India,” Singh added.
“If acts of terrorism continue to be perpetrated, there is no question of a dialogue, let alone a composite dialogue.”
Singh’s comments appeared to contradict a joint statement with Gilani in which the two leaders stipulated that action on terrorism ‘should not be linked’ to the composite dialogue process.
In his briefing to the media, Singh said: “There should be serious, honest efforts to bridge the gap that separates the two countries.”
The joint statement, issued after the meeting between Singh and Gilani, said they had agreed to cooperate in the fight against terrorism. “Both leaders affirmed their resolve to fight terrorism and cooperate with each other to this end,” the statement said.
“Prime Minister Singh reiterated the need to bring the perpetrators of the Mumbai attacks to justice and Prime Minister Gilani assured that Pakistan will do everything in its power in this regard.”
It added: “Action on terrorism should not be linked to the composite dialogue process and these should not be bracketed.”
The joint statement said the foreign ministries’ top civil servants, India’s Shivshankar Menon and Pakistan’s Salman Bashir, ‘should meet as often as necessary’ and report to their countries’ foreign ministers.
Singh said the meetings of the top civil servants would be used to determine the nature of the future dialogue.
Singh said Pakistan has provided an updated status dossier on the investigation of the Mumbai attacks and had sought additional information and evidence in this regard. Singh said the dossier was being reviewed.
On his talks with Gilani, Singh added: “I reiterated to him that we are willing to go more than half the way provided they create the conditions for a meaningful dialogue.”
In their statement, Gilani vowed Pakistan ‘will do everything in its power’ to bring those behind Mumbai to justice and Singh said India was ‘ready to discuss all issues with Pakistan’.
The joint statement described terrorism as ‘the main threat to both countries’ but the two premiers also agreed that action on terrorism should not be linked to peace talks.
The statement described talks as ‘cordial and constructive’ and said the two premiers covered the whole range of bilateral relations ‘with a view to charting the way forward’ in ties.
“Prime Minister Singh said that India was ready to discuss all issues with Pakistan, including all outstanding issues,” the statement said, adding that both countries agreed to cooperate in fighting terrorism.
“Both the leaders agreed that the two countries will 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,” the statement said. Singh reiterated India’s interest in a stable, democratic Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
The joint statement said: “Both leaders agreed that the real challenge is development and the elimination of poverty. Both leaders resolved to eliminate those factors which prevent our countries from realising their full potential.”
Talking to reporters after the meeting that lasted around three hours, including delegation level and exclusive one-on-one talks, Prime Minister Gilani said Pakistan also raised the issue of threats in Balochistan and other areas.
Gilani said he asked India that all core issues need to be discussed and composite dialogue should not be bracketed with terrorism.
He said both the leaders have recognised that ‘dialogue is the only way forward’ and agreed that the foreign secretaries should meet as often as necessary and report to the two foreign ministers who will be meeting on the sidelines of the forthcoming UN General Assembly.
Earlier, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh received Prime Minister Gilani when he arrived at the venue. The two leaders warmly shook hands and had a photo-op before starting the talks at Maritim Jolie Ville Resort.
The talks were held amidst hopes that the peace process might be reinvigorated to bring stability to the region.
The two leaders were supported by delegations including Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira, Education Minister Mir Hazar Khan Bijarani and Minister for Science and Technology Azam Khan Swati, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Nawabzada Malik Amad Khan, PML-N MNA Anusha Rehman and Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir.
The Indian delegation included Foreign Minister SM Krishna, Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon, National Security Adviser MK Narayanan and Special Secretary Vivek Katju.
ThursdayÂ’s talks in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh was the third high-level encounter between the two neighbours since the Mumbai assault.
“It’s a good step forward and it’s a way out of the impasse that the two sides found themselves in after Mumbai,” said C Raja Mohan, professor of South Asia studies at Singapore’s Nanyang Technology University.
Analysts said the statement had kept the nature of future dialogue open.
“They have affirmed their faith in dialogue without making any commitment on the precise nature of dialogue which means it’s open-ended and India will make its decision about dialogue when it is satisfied with Pakistan’s performance on terrorism,” said Hasan Askari Rizvi, a Lahore-based independent analyst.
Diplomats described the meeting as a breakthrough. The body language of the two prime ministers was very positive before the meeting reflecting that some agreement has been reached behind the scenes.
The one-on-one meeting between the two leaders lasted over an hour.
Monitoring Desk adds: Federal Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira said that Prime Minister Gilani has raised the issue of meddling from Indian side in the affairs of Balochistan during his meeting with Prime Minister Singh besides conveying his stance that peace talks between the two countries be not linked to terrorism.
Talking to a TV channel, Kaira said that the Prime Minister made it clear to his Indian counterpart that solution to all the issues be found through dialogue.
He said menace of terrorism be curbed and focus be placed on addressing the problems facing the people of two countries.
Kaira hoped that meeting between the both Prime Ministers would help end the deadlock and would be instrumental for establishment of peace in the region. More headway would be made in this direction during the forthcoming Secretaries and Foreign Secretaries level talks between Pakistan and India, he underlined.

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Manmohan Singh, Gilani begin bilateral meet at NAM amid media jamboree

July 16th, 2009 | No Comments

The Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan – Dr. Manmohan Singh and Yousuf Raza Gilani – have begun their much anticipated bilateral meeting here on the sidelines of the XVth Non-Aligned Movement Summit.
The two leaders are being accompanied and assisted at their talks by their respective foreign ministers, national security advisers,key officials and aides.
The scene [...]

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India-Pak FS meet again ahead of Manmohan-Gilani pow wow

July 16th, 2009 | No Comments

Indian Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon met his Pakistani counterpart Salman Bashir on the sidelines of the XVth Non-Alignment Movement (NAM) Summit for a second time on Wednesday.
The meeting was held ahead of meeting between Prime Ministers Manmohan Singh and Yousuf Raza Gilani on Thursday.
Describing India’’s relations with Pakistan as “stressed”, Menon said it [...]

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Peace linked to Kashmir

July 15th, 2009 | No Comments


SHARM EL-SHEIKH (Reuters/APP/Online) – Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said on Wednesday there had been momentum in ties with rival India and he hoped this progress would lead to comprehensive engagement.
“There has recently been some forward movement in our relations with India. We hope to sustain this momentum and move towards comprehensive engagement,” Gilani told delegates at a Non-Aligned Movement summit in Egypt.
“We believe durable peace in South Asia is achievable. It will be facilitated by the resolution of all standing disputes, including Jammu and Kashmir,” he added.
“The peace dividend for 1.5 billion people in the region would be enormous.”
Gilani also proposed an eight-point agenda at the NAM forum focusing on redesigning global institutional architecture on the basis of democracy, accountability and transparency.
He called for strengthening the multilateral system and for advancing interests of all states in an equitable manner. He also called for reinforcing the normative framework by stressing strict adherence to the principles of inter-state relations enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. Gilani said Pakistan has been stressing the need for NAM to expeditiously evolve a mechanism for conflict resolution.
He said sustainable success would come from resolving long-standing political disputes and promoting socio-economic development, as he believed that advancement of Pakistan’s economic development goals was possible only in an environment of regional peace and stability. “We are, therefore, steadfastly pursuing friendly and cooperative relations with our neighbours on the basis of equality, mutual interest, and mutual benefit,” he said. He mentioned that there has recently been some forward movement in relations with India and hoped to sustain this momentum and move towards comprehensive engagement. “We believe durable peace in South Asia is achievable. It will be facilitated by the resolution of all outstanding disputes, including Jammu and Kashmir,” he said. He said similarly peace and stability in Afghanistan was in country’s vital interest. He said Pakistan was engaged bilaterally with Afghanistan to realise the objectives of peace, security and development.
Gilani said Pakistan believes that the core of NAMÂ’s efforts today should be the quest for sovereign equality, and said the Movement must renew its emphasis on giving full life and meaning to the immutable principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity, non-aggression, non-intervention, mutual benefit, and peaceful co-existence. He suggested for developing a new global consensus covering arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation as well as access to nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.
Gilani said there was a need to pay urgent attention to the threat of climate change, including in South Asia, in view of prospects of the melting of glaciers. He also called for deepening South-South cooperation. The Prime Minister extended warmest felicitations to Egypt for assuming the chair of the Non-Aligned Movement for the second time, adding that as a founding member, Egypt had made a tremendous contribution to the promotion of the goals and objectives of the Movement. He paid rich tribute to Cuba and its leader Raul Castro for outstanding leadership during his countryÂ’s term as the NAM chair.
He said that summit was taking place at another defining moment in history, with a time of immense challenges but equally immense opportunities.
Prime Minister Gilani stressed for promoting inter-faith dialogue. “It is our conviction that the vision and principles outlined by the NAM’s founding fathers are not only valid today, but are indeed indispensable. The solidarity which helped us promote collective good in the past is equally essential for the future,” he said. He said security including the economic security was indivisible. “We must utilise this opportunity to fashion a holistic response. Our approach should be balanced, premised on the mutuality of interests of developed and developing countries. A conceptual rethink is required regarding the optimal balance between the role of governments and markets,” he said. Gilani said the temptation for protectionism must be resisted at all costs, and the market access should significantly expand, generating trade and employment opportunities. Stimulus packages and special dispensations to help particularly the vulnerable economies are essential, he added.
The Prime Minister said, “We must also work for comprehensive reform of the global financial and economic architecture, especially in the realm of enhanced regulation, more accountability, and inclusive decision-making.”
He said in Pakistan, peace and development are the core national priorities of the democratic government. “The guiding light for us is the vision of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah, of a progressive, modern, democratic, Islamic Pakistan – at peace within, and peace without,” he added. He said Pakistan was currently engaged in a resolute national effort to eliminate terrorism and militancy, and mentioned the enormous sacrifices rendered by its valiant security forces and the people in fighting terrorism.
He said Pakistan deeply appreciates the support and solidarity it received from friends in the international community. At the opening session of NAM summit, President Hosni Mubarak took the rotating chair from Raul Castro Ruz, President of the Councils of State and Government of the Republic of Cuba, who presented a report about the activities of NAM during last three years. Ban Ki-moon, Secretary General of United Nations, the Ambassadorial Chairman of G-77 and China, and the representatives of regional groups also delivered statements and expressed commitment for multilateralism to finding solutions to the fundamental problems affecting humanity.
Earlier, Prime Minister Gilani was received at the summit venue by Egypt President Hosni Mubarak, who grouped together along with other heads of state and government for an official photograph. Prime Minister Gilani and First Lady Begum Fauzia Gilani also attended the official lunch hosted by President Mubarak and Ms Suzanne Mubarak in honour of the heads of state and government and the first ladies.
Top diplomats from India and Pakistan had earlier begun talks in Egypt to reduce tensions between the two states in a meeting on the fringes of the summit, sources close to the talks said.
The meeting of foreign secretaries of the two rivals, IndiaÂ’s Shivshankar Menon and PakistanÂ’s Salman Bashir, took place late on Tuesday ahead of the start of the summit in the Egyptian resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh.
“They had good, detailed discussions,” said one source with knowledge of the talks who asked not be identified further. The sides again met on Wednesday evening.
The discussions were to prepare for a meeting on Thursday (today) between Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and PakistanÂ’s Gilani, the third such high-level meeting since last yearÂ’s Mumbai attacks derailed any rapprochement.
Singh told the summit militant infrastructure must be removed and those involved in it be brought to justice. “The infrastructure of terrorism must be dismantled and there should be no safe haven for terrorists because they do not represent any cause, group or religion,” Singh said.
“Terrorists and those who aid and abet them must be brought to justice,” he said.
TodayÂ’s meeting will be the third high-level meeting between the two countries since last yearÂ’s Mumbai attacks derailed any rapprochement, which could improve stability across the region as far as Afghanistan.
In New Delhi, Indian External Affairs Minister SM Krishna on Wednesday fired a warning shot by making it clear that key to resumption of Pak-India composite dialogue will be IslamabadÂ’s action against Jamaatud Daawa chief Hafiz Saeed.
Krishna minced no words by squarely holding Saeed responsible for November 2008 Mumbai attacks. He further urged Pakistan to take action against the JuD chief.
Monitoring Desk adds: Pakistan Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir and Indian counterpart Shiv Shankar Menon again held a second meeting on the sidelines of NAM summit in Sharm El-Sheikh on Wednesday, reported a private TV channel.
The sources said India once again raised the issue of Mumbai Attacks and demanded Pakistan to bring the accused to justice.
The meeting between the two foreign secretaries lasted for one hour. These recent talks between Indo-Pak officials could pave a way for resumption of composite dialogues between the two neighbouring nations, sources added.
In TuesdayÂ’s meeting, Pakistan raising the issue of IndiaÂ’s meddling in the internal affairs of the country has made it clear that mutual cooperation is the key to stability and peace in the region.
These views were expressed by Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir while briefing the media after holding a nearly 90-minute meeting with his Indian counterpart Shivshankar Menon in Egypt on Tuesday night.
He said that in the 90 minutes meeting here late Tuesday the agenda and modalities for the meeting between the Prime Ministers of Pakistan and India to be held on Thursday were finalised. He said that during his meeting with his Indian counterpart our concern over India’s meddling in country’s internal affairs especially in Malakand Division were relayed. “We talked of constructive mutual cooperation and we want full resumption of the eight-segment composite dialogue,” Salman Bashir said. He said, “We want to look to future and we are not hesitant to talk on terrorism with India. All our political leadership and parliament want cordial relations with India. Terrorism is a global problem and we are ourselves the biggest victim of terrorism. In order to meet this challenge a collective effort is needed.” He said the water issue and terrorism were also discussed and we express hope that the matters would be settled soon. He said that during the meeting Shiv Shankar Menon raised the issue of release of Indian terrorist Sarabjit Singh and release of Hafiz Saeed and we made our point clear to him that we would not allow anyone to use our soil for terrorism and also took him into confidence on the progress regarding the Mumbai attacks.
Salman Bashir said that PM Gilani would be holding talks with his Indian counterpart with an open mind. In response to a question, the foreign secretary said that mutual cooperation between the two countries is the key to peace and stability of the region. “Nothing can be solved through unilateral demands. We should look to the future not the past,” he added. He said we want to have constructive and open-minded talks with India and we are hopeful that India would realise this. He said that the foreign secretaries meeting was not a structural meeting. There are several other phases. He said we want that the two PMs meeting to be constructive and result-oriented as if dialogue is further stalled then there is fear that situation could deteriorate. He said, “We are fighting a war against terrorism with full forces as this is a war of our very survival.”
Meanwhile, Indian Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon briefing media termed the meeting with his Pakistani counterpart as positive and said that it has been decided to promote contacts at the foreign secretary level. He said Pakistani and Indian PMs would be meeting on Thursday and there is a strong possibility of joint declaration after the meeting.
The talks between the foreign secretaries had been decided upon when Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh met President Asif Ali Zardari in the Russian city of Yekaterinburg in June this year.
Relations between the two countries nosedived after the Mumbai terror attack. India suspended the composite dialogue process. The latest effort at putting them back on track comes as the alleged mastermind of the attacks, Jamaat-ud-Daawa chief Hafiz Muhammad SaeedÂ’s case is up for hearing in the Pakistan Supreme Court. While the prickly issue of his release is being heard in Islamabad, the two countries are in the process of ironing out some of their differences. The hectic India-Pakistan negotiations come on the sidelines of the 15th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit.
Meanwhile, the meeting between Gilani and Singh today will be held in Savoy Hotel of Sharm-al-Sheikh, where the Indian Premier is residing.
The agenda for the talks had been prepared earlier on Wednesday by foreign secretaries of both countries Salman Bashir and his Indian counterpart Shiv Shankar Menon. There is also a strong possibility of one-to-one talks between two premiers.
Meanwhile, both Premiers met informally on the sidelines of NAM session on Wednesday, which according to sources was held in a cordial and friendly atmosphere; an omen viewed quite optimistically. However details of these talks, which covered many important issues could not be discerned.
Addressing a Press conference, Indian Foreign Secretary Menon said Pakistan has given India a dossier on its investigations into the Mumbai attacks. Menon said India wanted “credible action to bring the perpetrators of the Mumbai attacks to justice and credible actions to dismantle terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan.”
Asked what action New Delhi expected of Islamabad, he said, “We are not in business of laying down markers. When we see credible action it speaks for itself.”
“We have had good detailed discussions. We are still in the process of talking to each other,” he said.

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Peace linked to Kashmir

July 15th, 2009 | No Comments


SHARM EL-SHEIKH (Reuters/APP/Online) – Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said on Wednesday there had been momentum in ties with rival India and he hoped this progress would lead to comprehensive engagement.
“There has recently been some forward movement in our relations with India. We hope to sustain this momentum and move towards comprehensive engagement,” Gilani told delegates at a Non-Aligned Movement summit in Egypt.
“We believe durable peace in South Asia is achievable. It will be facilitated by the resolution of all standing disputes, including Jammu and Kashmir,” he added.
“The peace dividend for 1.5 billion people in the region would be enormous.”
Gilani also proposed an eight-point agenda at the NAM forum focusing on redesigning global institutional architecture on the basis of democracy, accountability and transparency.
He called for strengthening the multilateral system and for advancing interests of all states in an equitable manner. He also called for reinforcing the normative framework by stressing strict adherence to the principles of inter-state relations enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. Gilani said Pakistan has been stressing the need for NAM to expeditiously evolve a mechanism for conflict resolution.
He said sustainable success would come from resolving long-standing political disputes and promoting socio-economic development, as he believed that advancement of Pakistan’s economic development goals was possible only in an environment of regional peace and stability. “We are, therefore, steadfastly pursuing friendly and cooperative relations with our neighbours on the basis of equality, mutual interest, and mutual benefit,” he said. He mentioned that there has recently been some forward movement in relations with India and hoped to sustain this momentum and move towards comprehensive engagement. “We believe durable peace in South Asia is achievable. It will be facilitated by the resolution of all outstanding disputes, including Jammu and Kashmir,” he said. He said similarly peace and stability in Afghanistan was in country’s vital interest. He said Pakistan was engaged bilaterally with Afghanistan to realise the objectives of peace, security and development.
Gilani said Pakistan believes that the core of NAMÂ’s efforts today should be the quest for sovereign equality, and said the Movement must renew its emphasis on giving full life and meaning to the immutable principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity, non-aggression, non-intervention, mutual benefit, and peaceful co-existence. He suggested for developing a new global consensus covering arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation as well as access to nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.
Gilani said there was a need to pay urgent attention to the threat of climate change, including in South Asia, in view of prospects of the melting of glaciers. He also called for deepening South-South cooperation. The Prime Minister extended warmest felicitations to Egypt for assuming the chair of the Non-Aligned Movement for the second time, adding that as a founding member, Egypt had made a tremendous contribution to the promotion of the goals and objectives of the Movement. He paid rich tribute to Cuba and its leader Raul Castro for outstanding leadership during his countryÂ’s term as the NAM chair.
He said that summit was taking place at another defining moment in history, with a time of immense challenges but equally immense opportunities.
Prime Minister Gilani stressed for promoting inter-faith dialogue. “It is our conviction that the vision and principles outlined by the NAM’s founding fathers are not only valid today, but are indeed indispensable. The solidarity which helped us promote collective good in the past is equally essential for the future,” he said. He said security including the economic security was indivisible. “We must utilise this opportunity to fashion a holistic response. Our approach should be balanced, premised on the mutuality of interests of developed and developing countries. A conceptual rethink is required regarding the optimal balance between the role of governments and markets,” he said. Gilani said the temptation for protectionism must be resisted at all costs, and the market access should significantly expand, generating trade and employment opportunities. Stimulus packages and special dispensations to help particularly the vulnerable economies are essential, he added.
The Prime Minister said, “We must also work for comprehensive reform of the global financial and economic architecture, especially in the realm of enhanced regulation, more accountability, and inclusive decision-making.”
He said in Pakistan, peace and development are the core national priorities of the democratic government. “The guiding light for us is the vision of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah, of a progressive, modern, democratic, Islamic Pakistan – at peace within, and peace without,” he added. He said Pakistan was currently engaged in a resolute national effort to eliminate terrorism and militancy, and mentioned the enormous sacrifices rendered by its valiant security forces and the people in fighting terrorism.
He said Pakistan deeply appreciates the support and solidarity it received from friends in the international community. At the opening session of NAM summit, President Hosni Mubarak took the rotating chair from Raul Castro Ruz, President of the Councils of State and Government of the Republic of Cuba, who presented a report about the activities of NAM during last three years. Ban Ki-moon, Secretary General of United Nations, the Ambassadorial Chairman of G-77 and China, and the representatives of regional groups also delivered statements and expressed commitment for multilateralism to finding solutions to the fundamental problems affecting humanity.
Earlier, Prime Minister Gilani was received at the summit venue by Egypt President Hosni Mubarak, who grouped together along with other heads of state and government for an official photograph. Prime Minister Gilani and First Lady Begum Fauzia Gilani also attended the official lunch hosted by President Mubarak and Ms Suzanne Mubarak in honour of the heads of state and government and the first ladies.
Top diplomats from India and Pakistan had earlier begun talks in Egypt to reduce tensions between the two states in a meeting on the fringes of the summit, sources close to the talks said.
The meeting of foreign secretaries of the two rivals, IndiaÂ’s Shivshankar Menon and PakistanÂ’s Salman Bashir, took place late on Tuesday ahead of the start of the summit in the Egyptian resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh.
“They had good, detailed discussions,” said one source with knowledge of the talks who asked not be identified further. The sides again met on Wednesday evening.
The discussions were to prepare for a meeting on Thursday (today) between Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and PakistanÂ’s Gilani, the third such high-level meeting since last yearÂ’s Mumbai attacks derailed any rapprochement.
Singh told the summit militant infrastructure must be removed and those involved in it be brought to justice. “The infrastructure of terrorism must be dismantled and there should be no safe haven for terrorists because they do not represent any cause, group or religion,” Singh said.
“Terrorists and those who aid and abet them must be brought to justice,” he said.
TodayÂ’s meeting will be the third high-level meeting between the two countries since last yearÂ’s Mumbai attacks derailed any rapprochement, which could improve stability across the region as far as Afghanistan.
In New Delhi, Indian External Affairs Minister SM Krishna on Wednesday fired a warning shot by making it clear that key to resumption of Pak-India composite dialogue will be IslamabadÂ’s action against Jamaatud Daawa chief Hafiz Saeed.
Krishna minced no words by squarely holding Saeed responsible for November 2008 Mumbai attacks. He further urged Pakistan to take action against the JuD chief.
Monitoring Desk adds: Pakistan Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir and Indian counterpart Shiv Shankar Menon again held a second meeting on the sidelines of NAM summit in Sharm El-Sheikh on Wednesday, reported a private TV channel.
The sources said India once again raised the issue of Mumbai Attacks and demanded Pakistan to bring the accused to justice.
The meeting between the two foreign secretaries lasted for one hour. These recent talks between Indo-Pak officials could pave a way for resumption of composite dialogues between the two neighbouring nations, sources added.
In TuesdayÂ’s meeting, Pakistan raising the issue of IndiaÂ’s meddling in the internal affairs of the country has made it clear that mutual cooperation is the key to stability and peace in the region.
These views were expressed by Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir while briefing the media after holding a nearly 90-minute meeting with his Indian counterpart Shivshankar Menon in Egypt on Tuesday night.
He said that in the 90 minutes meeting here late Tuesday the agenda and modalities for the meeting between the Prime Ministers of Pakistan and India to be held on Thursday were finalised. He said that during his meeting with his Indian counterpart our concern over India’s meddling in country’s internal affairs especially in Malakand Division were relayed. “We talked of constructive mutual cooperation and we want full resumption of the eight-segment composite dialogue,” Salman Bashir said. He said, “We want to look to future and we are not hesitant to talk on terrorism with India. All our political leadership and parliament want cordial relations with India. Terrorism is a global problem and we are ourselves the biggest victim of terrorism. In order to meet this challenge a collective effort is needed.” He said the water issue and terrorism were also discussed and we express hope that the matters would be settled soon. He said that during the meeting Shiv Shankar Menon raised the issue of release of Indian terrorist Sarabjit Singh and release of Hafiz Saeed and we made our point clear to him that we would not allow anyone to use our soil for terrorism and also took him into confidence on the progress regarding the Mumbai attacks.
Salman Bashir said that PM Gilani would be holding talks with his Indian counterpart with an open mind. In response to a question, the foreign secretary said that mutual cooperation between the two countries is the key to peace and stability of the region. “Nothing can be solved through unilateral demands. We should look to the future not the past,” he added. He said we want to have constructive and open-minded talks with India and we are hopeful that India would realise this. He said that the foreign secretaries meeting was not a structural meeting. There are several other phases. He said we want that the two PMs meeting to be constructive and result-oriented as if dialogue is further stalled then there is fear that situation could deteriorate. He said, “We are fighting a war against terrorism with full forces as this is a war of our very survival.”
Meanwhile, Indian Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon briefing media termed the meeting with his Pakistani counterpart as positive and said that it has been decided to promote contacts at the foreign secretary level. He said Pakistani and Indian PMs would be meeting on Thursday and there is a strong possibility of joint declaration after the meeting.
The talks between the foreign secretaries had been decided upon when Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh met President Asif Ali Zardari in the Russian city of Yekaterinburg in June this year.
Relations between the two countries nosedived after the Mumbai terror attack. India suspended the composite dialogue process. The latest effort at putting them back on track comes as the alleged mastermind of the attacks, Jamaat-ud-Daawa chief Hafiz Muhammad SaeedÂ’s case is up for hearing in the Pakistan Supreme Court. While the prickly issue of his release is being heard in Islamabad, the two countries are in the process of ironing out some of their differences. The hectic India-Pakistan negotiations come on the sidelines of the 15th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit.
Meanwhile, the meeting between Gilani and Singh today will be held in Savoy Hotel of Sharm-al-Sheikh, where the Indian Premier is residing.
The agenda for the talks had been prepared earlier on Wednesday by foreign secretaries of both countries Salman Bashir and his Indian counterpart Shiv Shankar Menon. There is also a strong possibility of one-to-one talks between two premiers.
Meanwhile, both Premiers met informally on the sidelines of NAM session on Wednesday, which according to sources was held in a cordial and friendly atmosphere; an omen viewed quite optimistically. However details of these talks, which covered many important issues could not be discerned.
Addressing a Press conference, Indian Foreign Secretary Menon said Pakistan has given India a dossier on its investigations into the Mumbai attacks. Menon said India wanted “credible action to bring the perpetrators of the Mumbai attacks to justice and credible actions to dismantle terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan.”
Asked what action New Delhi expected of Islamabad, he said, “We are not in business of laying down markers. When we see credible action it speaks for itself.”
“We have had good detailed discussions. We are still in the process of talking to each other,” he said.

Read More »
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