Pakistan and Indian Foreign Minister level talks will be held on July 15, as Indian External Affairs Minister S M Krishna accepted the invitation of Shah Mehmood Qureishi to visit Islamabad to take up all contentious issues straining relations between the two countries.
Qureshi told media on Tuesday after his 25 minutes telephonic conversation with his Indian counterpart that foreign ministers level talks on July 15 would take place in Islamabad, following a meeting between the Home Ministers and Foreign Secretaries of both countries here on June 26.
Indian Home Minister and Foreign Secretary will be visiting Pakistan on June 26 to attend the summit of South Asian Association of Regional Countries (Saarc) and would also finalise modalities for upcoming talks with their Pakistani counterparts on the sidelines of the conference.
Qureshi termed the talks with his Indian counterpart an important step forward in bilateral relations as all issues would be taken up in the forthcoming meeting between the foreign ministers. The Minister, however, added that he would not create false hopes and no one should expect miracles as both sides recognise challenges and uphill task.
He said that terrorism has been disturbing both India and Pakistan. "We have to resolve the problem with understanding and co-operation," he said, adding that they would not allow terrorism hamper the process of the dialogue. He said the two countries have a Joint Anti Terror Mechanism and the menace needs to be addressed through it.
He said talks between the two countries were vital for peace and stability in the region. He said all issues that were part of the Composite Dialogue would be discussed when the Foreign Secretaries and the Foreign Ministers would meet.
About the water dispute, he said in case there was breach of the Indus Water Basin Treaty, Pakistan would take it up with India. He said at the same time there was need to improve the water supply and distribution system in Pakistan.
Qureshi however said that prior to the talks he would be seeking advice of the President, the Prime Minister and all other stakeholders including all political parties, the members of Foreign Relations Committee of National Assembly and the Senate to build consensus on the points to be discussed with India. He said guidance would be sought from those who have been part of such parleys in the past.
Meanwhile, a press release issued by Indian High Commission, quoting Indian Foreign Minister, said, "I had a telephonic conversation with the Foreign Minister of Pakistan, my esteemed friend, Mahmood Qureshi.
This was a follow-up of the meeting of our two Prime Ministers in Thimphu where it was decided that the Foreign Ministers and the Foreign Secretaries will work out the methodology as to how the dialogue between the two countries can be carried on so that all outstanding issues between our two countries could be discussed in an atmosphere of mutual trust and mutual respect.
"The Foreign Minister of Pakistan has invited me to go to Islamabad on the 15h of July; so I am planning to visit Islamabad for my talks with Foreign Minister Mahmood Qureshi, and I am looking forward to these talks. Let us hope that these talks will be helpful in bringing our two countries closer together; bringing our two countries the cordiality that all of us desire. And, let us hope that our effort will be fruitful."
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