Pakistan, India agree to continue dialogue: Shaukat and Natwar hold 'very friendly' meeting

Pakistan and India on Tuesday committed themselves to continue dialogue on Kashmir during a meeting between Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and Indian Foreign Minister Natwar Singh described as "very friendly". "It was a very friendly, positive and forward looking meeting," Indian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Navtej Sarna told reporters soon after the conclusion of talks.
The tone was in marked contrast to a verbal spat between the leadership of both the countries last week when they sniped bitterly at each other over Kashmir, their main point of dispute.
"Saarc issues were discussed. It was felt that although a good start had been made in Islamabad, there was potential for further regional co-operation," Sarna said.
Shaukat Aziz, who is on a visit of the region as outgoing chairman of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc), arrived in Delhi mid-afternoon accompanied by six ministers, including railways and petroleum.
"On the bilateral side, both the sides felt composite dialogue should continue. Shaukat said the delegation he has brought reflects the commitment of Pakistan civil society to this process."
The composite dialogue is the name given to the process in which officials and politicians of both the countries are discussing eight key points of dispute between them, including Kashmir.
The first round of talks, which began in February, was completed in September while the second round kicks off on November 29.
Shaukat is due to meet President and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday and was scheduled to hold talks with the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) leaders over dinner late Tuesday.
Later, Shaukat met opposition leader Lal Krishan Advani and former Indian prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, whose offer of friendship to Pakistan in 2003 began the normalisation of ties between the nuclear-armed rivals.
In their one-on-one meeting for half an hour at Vajpayee's residence, both the leaders discussed Pak-India relations.
Talking to Pakistani newsmen after the meeting, the former Indian premier described his talks with Shaukat as 'successful'.
He congratulated him on assuming the office and wished him well.
Vajpayee said though his party was not in the government, all Indian political parties fully supported the continuation of dialogue with Pakistan to resolve all outstanding issues, including Kashmir.
He referred to the "Lahore Declaration", saying, with the arrival of Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, the journey started there had reached here in New Delhi.
Vajpayee called for taking the dialogue process forward and hoped that both the countries would succeed in their mission to have peace in the region.
He dispelled the impression that the change of government in India has slowed down the composite dialogue process.
The former premier said the new government needs some time, but added, the opposition would keep an eye on the government to maintain pace of the process.
Describing the meeting as "very useful" Shaukat said Vajpayee was for continuation of the process to ensure peace and progress in the region.
He noted progress in the dialogue process and expressed the hope that it would bring good results.
The prime minister said he was pleased to meet the former Indian premier, adding that he would carry forward the peace process, started from Lahore.
He also conveyed good wishes from President General Pervez Musharraf to Vajpayee who also reciprocated the sentiments and conveyed his best wishes for the president.
On the occasion, Shaukat presented a gift of 'Sherwani' and two suits to Vajpayee who also presented gifts to him.
During a visit to Sri Lanka on Monday Shaukat struck a more conciliatory chord.
"My visit tomorrow will improve the atmosphere of relations between the two countries," he said. "The relations have improved considerably... It is very sportsmanlike across the board."
In an interview with the BBC, he noted that Pakistan and India have in the past year restored air, road and rail links as well as cultural and sports ties, including a tour of Pakistan by the Indian cricket team.
"If I had to do a very objective analysis of where we are today versus 12 months ago, I think we are substantially ahead," Shaukat said, adding that the main purpose of his visit was "to get the dialogue process moving forward".
Earlier on his arrival Delhi airport, Shaukat smiled and shook hands with Singh, but made no comments.
Meanwhile, talking to journalists before landing at the Palam International Airport, Shaukat said, "I wish to have sustainable peace in South Asia and also to promote objectives of Saarc."
The prime minister expressed the hope that his discussion with the Indian leadership will augur well for peace process "and we will move from tactical to strategic issues".
At the airport Shaukat Aziz was received by Indian External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh, Pakistan High Commissioner in New Delhi, Aziz Ahmed Khan, Indian High Commissioner in Islamabad, Shankar Menon, Indian foreign secretary and other government officials.
A large number of local and foreign media was also present at the airport and gave a live coverage to his arrival.
The prime minister is due to return home late Wednesday.