Not a single reference to the LeT. Not a single reference to its continuing terrorist infrastructure. And, we have provided dignity to Pakistan's baseless allegations against Baloch freedom-fighters by agreeing to make a reference to Balochistan in the joint statement in the context of terrorism by indirectly bringing on record Pakistan's projection of the late Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti and other Baloch leaders as terrorists, bemoans B Raman
After a six-month pause, India and Pakistan on Tuesday resumed their composite dialogue with the Foreign Secretaries meeting here to discuss various bilateral issues including terrorism, Kashmir and confidence building measures. Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon and his counterpart Salman Bashir held delegation level discussions to review the fourth round of composite dialogue. Kashmir, Siachen, Sir Creek and various confidence building measures were discussed.
Pakistan wants "excellent relations" with India even as the two countries work to address "core issues" like the Kashmir dispute, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said.
Keen to take the peace process with Pakistan forward, India is expected to press for launch of more bus services across the Line of Control. India will also demand the early operationalisation of the truck service when the two sides resume the composite dialogue in Islamabad on Tuesday. The Foreign Secretaries will meet on Tuesday to set the agenda for talks between External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee & his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mahmood Qureshi.
Secretary of State Colin Powell described the meeting of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf as 'historic'.
New Delhi hoped that the two countries will be able to resolve outstanding issues and build 'a mutually-beneficial relationship in an atmosphere free of violence and terrorism'.
India on Wednesday said even 'a few steps' by Pakistan in the Mumbai terror attacks probe will satisfy it and help in resuming the composite dialogue process.External Affairs Minister S M Krishna said India will be 'quite satisfied' with 'a few steps' by Pakistan in the course of the 26/11 investigations. This, he said, will "certainly make it easier for India to carry on normal business with Pakistan". Pak has been strongly advocating the resumption of the Indo-Pak talks.
Pakistan has taken serious notice of reports that the US Army chief Gen W Casey is scheduled to visit the Siachen glacier in Jammu and Kashmir during his ongoing three-day visit to India.
The two foreign ministers differed over kashmir, but said the ceasefire on the LoC would continue.
The Indian side is likely to stress that Pakistan is not doing enough to end terrorism being perpetrated by groups based in that country and needed to do much more if the peace process was to continue.
Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon had met his Pakistani counterpart Riaz Mohd Khan in Islamabad in March this year.
"Settlement of the Kashmir issue in line with the aspirations of the people of Kashmir will change the destiny of over a billion people of South Asia."
Aziz lamented the fact that south Asia lagged behind its neighbourhood.
Kasuri said his country was ready to exercise the political will as it believes that peace between the two countries is in the interest of both the nations.
Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran arrived in Islamabad on Wednesday to discuss the progress in the composite dialogue process as well as to set the course of the peace maneuvers.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will travel to Islamabad on Tuesday on a two-day visit during which she will hold talks with her Pakistani counterpart Sartaj Aziz and attend a multilateral conference on Afghanistan.
The two countries to resume a composite dialogue next month to resolve all outstanding issues, including Jammu and Kashmir.
India and Pakistan on Thursday decided in principle to introduce freight services in the Munabao-Khokhrapar rail sector and increase the frequency of freight trains between Wagah and Attari to facilitate cross-border movement of goods.
Mumbai police on September 30 said the explosions were planned by Inter Services Intelligence and executed by activists of the banned Lashkar-e-Tayiba and Students Islamic Movement of India in New Delhi.
The Indo-Pak foreign secretary-level talks to review the third round of composite dialogue process may be resumed on November 10
In an impromptu decision, Musharraf ordered the release during an hour-long meeting with Indian Left party leaders Harkishen Singh Surjeet and A B Bardhan in Islamabad.
The foreign secretary arrives in Pakistan Saturday,two days before the second round of the composite dialogue process.
National security advisers of India and Pakistan are expected to meet in October to follow up on the meeting between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Gen Pervez Musharraf in New York.
There were warm handshakes and smiles as Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran and his Pakistani counterpart Riaz Khokhar posed for photographers at the majestic Hyderabad House before the negotiations.
The Indian government is reportedly ready to 'soften' the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir to enhance people-to-people contacts, despite concerns over the recent increase in infiltration and violence in the state.
Setting the terms for revival of the composite dialogue process with the Modi government, Pakistan on Monday made it clear that India should not shy away from dealing with "contentious" issues like Jammu and Kashmir and not lay down any preconditions for talks.
The two sides also signed an agreement covering duration and fare of the train service that will run on a two-way trip once in a week.
"I am not saying that we rushing at Frontier Mail speed. We are not doing it. There is clear understanding on both sides that this process will have to pass the test of public opinion as well as opposition", Kasuri said.
Also in the pipeline, are talks on more bus services.
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