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| India, Pak kickstart fourth round of talks | | |
ISLAMABAD, MAR 13
The fourth round of Composite Dialogue between India and Pakistan was kick-started today with Foreign Secretaries of the two countries meeting here with a desire to take forward the peace process launched in 2004.
At the two-day talks, the two sides will discuss eight outstanding issues, including Jammu and Kashmir, terrorism, Siachen and Sir Creek besides various confidence building measures. New Delhi wants Islamabad to take effective and concrete steps to curb cross-border terrorism as promised by it and this will be conveyed at the meeting.
As they began their parleys, both Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon and his Pakistani counterpart Riaz Mohammad Khan underlined that the two countries wanted to take the peace process forward and expressed hope that their talks would be fruitful.
"We want to take relations forward," Menon said in his opening remarks at the meeting which, he hoped, would be constructive.
Khan also hoped that his discussions with Menon would be "fruitful", adding that the improved weather conditions here today after several days of rains was a good omen for the talks.
Noting that three rounds of composite dialogue had brought the two sides this round, he expressed confidence that they would be able to "advance the peace process further".
During the parleys, the Indian side is expected to press Pakistan to take effective steps to curb cross-border terrorism. New Delhi points out that the terror infrastructure in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), Pakistani Punjab and North West Frontier Province (NWFP) was intact which is a major concern for India.
A review of the discussions held by the two countries under the joint Anti-Terror Mechanism last week is also expected to be undertaken at the meeting. India had given evidence regarding involvement of Pakistan-based elements in last year's Mumbai train blasts and other terror incidents and sought its cooperation in tracking down the culprits.
The two sides will discuss Jammu and Kashmir and various proposals floated for its resolution. India has said it is ready to discuss any proposal for its resolution but will not accept anything that compromises national sovereignty or lead to change of boundaries as New Delhi feels a solution has to be found within the Constitution.
Pakistan may raise the demand for de-militarisation in Jammu and Kashmir but India has made it clear that such a step can be taken only when terrorism ends in the state.
Various confidence building measures like the launch of truck service between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad, easing of visa regime and early release of fishermen and other prisoners will also be discussed and a positive outcome is expected on these.
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