Pakistan and India Saturday vowed to work together for resolving all outstanding issues peacefully with commitment that both the countries will move forward to write a new chapter of peace and co-operation by ignoring the bitter past.
An understanding to this effect was reached during foreign ministers level talks held here at the Foreign Office in which the two sides reaffirmed the importance of carrying forward the dialogue process with a view to resolving peacefully all outstanding issues through constructive and result-oriented engagements, and to establish friendly, co-operative and good neighbourly relations between the two countries.
"Pakistan has made sure, that as we move forward, we build on the convergence''''s. We will not brood of divergences. We will move forward. What has happened till now is history, and, we will not be held hostage to it. We will humbly, but firmly, build on the convergence''''s," Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar told a joint news conference along with her Indian counterpart S M Krishna after their talks.
She said that Pakistan changed the position it held for 40 years for normalisation of trade ties with India and to send a very strong message that it is willing to move ahead without sticking to the past position. "Both the countries and their respective leaderships needed to build on convergence''''s, and not to be held hostage to history," she said.
She said that Pakistan is committed to realise the immense potential pertaining to normalisation of relations and it believes that the two countries should build on convergence''''s as part of its broader vision regarding foreign policy engagements.
Khar said with determination and political will the two countries can address the issues of divergence, including Jammu and Kashmir‚ Siachin and Sir Creek. She emphasised that aspirations of Kashmiri people "must be accommodated and quest for peaceful settlement requires that Kashmiris be made part of the dialogue process".
During the talks, she said that the two sides had agreed to abide by Indus Basin Water Treaty. Pakistan has invited India to look at the possibility of improving the implementation mechanism of the treaty‚ which has‚ by and large‚ served well, she added.
She also referred to the missed opportunities in the past like the agreement made by democratic heroes of the two countries - Benazir Bhutto and Rajiv Gandhi - for resolution of Siachen dispute, adding that the Gayari tragedy in Siachen is glaring example of the lost opportunities. "Pakistan is committed not to losing any opportunity and to creating new opportunities," she added.
Khar termed the agreement for liberalisation of visa regime as a first leap in normalising relations between the two countries. A second achievement, she said, was the decision of both sides to take steps to reactivate the defunct Joint Commission.
Since last year, she said that the Joint Commission, which was almost dead for more than seven years, has been reactivated. "It is our commitment to make sure the process continues unhindered," she added. "We are willing to move ahead for a future-- which is people centric, development centric, centric to the common citizens of India and Pakistan, which is committed to creating stakeholders in the economic interest and the future of the two countries. This is the vision, which is behind the Pakistan government''''s deep abiding commitment to normalise trade ties," she added.
About the MFN status to India, she said by December this year Pakistan will have trade with India like any other country of the world. She said there is joint commitment to take care of Pakistani concerns on non-tariff barriers. Speaking on the occasion, Indian External Affairs Minister S M Krishna said they were reasonably satisfied at the progress achieved in the last round of resumed dialogue.
"We are aware that there is a long way to go and the path will not be easy but we are committed to moving forward to writing a new chapter of peace and co-operation in our relations," he remarked. About the terrorism and Mumbai attack''''s perpetrators, Krishna said they have agreed that terrorism poses threat to peace and security and reaffirmed strong commitment of the two countries to fighting terrorism in an effective manner, adding that Pakistan has reiterated its commitment to bring all perpetrators of Mumbai attack to justice.
He said that the two sides have decided to convene separate meeting of the experts groups on nuclear and conventional confidence building measures in New Delhi in the second half of December this year. He further said that they also reviewed the existing cross-LoC CBMs on travel and trade.
Krishna said the two countries are looking forward to launching of next round of secretaries level dialogue on all eight segments and schedule for these meetings would be worked out through diplomatic channels but these would be held before next meeting of the Foreign Ministers in New Delhi next year. Krishna also thanked President Asif Ali Zardari for ordering release of all Indian fishermen.
Joint Statement: In a joint statement issued following the meeting, it was stated that the talks were held in a cordial, candid and constructive atmosphere. The Ministers reviewed the status of bilateral relations and expressed satisfaction on holding of meetings on the issues of Counter-Terrorism (including progress on Mumbai trial) and Narcotics Control; Humanitarian issues; Commercial & Economic co-operation; Wullar Barrage / Tulbul Navigation Project; Sir Creek; Siachen; Peace & Security including CBMs; Jammu & Kashmir; and promotion of Friendly Exchanges.
The Ministers noted that the dialogue process is guided by the commitment of leadership of the two countries, expressed at the highest level, to find peaceful and mutually acceptable solutions to all outstanding issues and to build a relationship of trust and all round co-operation between Pakistan and India.
The Ministers expressed satisfaction at the increase in bilateral exchanges between the two countries since their last meeting in New Delhi in July 2011. The Ministers held substantive discussions on the whole range of issues within the framework of the Dialogue process and expressed satisfaction over the progress achieved since their last review meeting in July 2011.
The Ministers reaffirmed the importance of carrying forward the dialogue process with a view to resolving peacefully all outstanding issues through constructive and result oriented engagement, and to establish friendly, co-operative and good neighbourly relations between Pakistan and India. The Ministers agreed that terrorism poses a continuing threat to peace and security. They reaffirmed the strong commitment of the two countries to fight terrorism in an effective and comprehensive manner so as to eliminate the scourge in all its forms and manifestations.
The Ministers welcomed the release of prisoners and fishermen, including those suffering from ailments, in the past year or so. They agreed that the Agreement on Consular Access should be implemented in letter and spirit including immediate notification of arrests by either side, consular access to all persons within three months of arrests, release of prisoners within one month of completion of sentence and confirmation of their national status.
The Ministers also welcomed the continued work of the Judicial Committee and agreed with the need to implement its recommendations on various aspects of release and repatriation of prisoners and fishermen of each country by the other and adoption of the humane approach in dealing with cases of fishermen and prisoners, especially women, elderly, juvenile, and those terminally ill or suffering from serious illness or physical/ mental disability.
They noted that talks were held between the Director General of the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency and the Director General of the Indian Coast Guard in New Delhi in July 2012 and agreed to the importance of continuing their meetings. They further directed that the issues relating to fishermen as contained in Para 10 of the Joint Statement issued after the Interior/Home Secretaries talks between Pakistan and India in March 2011 would be further examined by relevant authorities of the two countries.
They welcomed the decision during the last meeting of the Home/ Interior Secretaries of the two countries in May 2012 to initiate discussions to strengthen mutual co-operation in criminal matters. The Ministers attached importance to promoting Peace and Security, including Confidence-Building Measures (CBMs), between the two countries and agreed to convene separate meetings of the Expert Groups on Nuclear and Conventional CBMs, in New Delhi in the second half of December 2012.
They held discussions on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir and agreed to the need for continued discussions, in a purposeful and forward looking manner, with a view to finding a peaceful solution by narrowing divergences and building convergence''''s. They reviewed the existing Cross-Line of Control (LoC) CBMs and acknowledged that the cease-fire was holding since 2003. They also reviewed the implementation of the decisions taken regarding travel and trade across the LoC in their last meeting in July 2011.
Taking note of the recommendations made by the Joint Working Group (JWG) on Cross-LoC CBMs in its meeting in Islamabad on July 19, 2012, the Ministers decided the following:
Cross-LoC Travel: (i) Cross-LoC travel would be expanded on both sides of LoC to include visits for tourism and religious pilgrimage. (ii) Tourist and Pilgrimage sites will be designated on both sides of the LoC and information will be available with the designated authorities. (iii) Such visits will be conducted by designated Tour Operators in groups not exceeding 15 persons. (iv)Permits for such visits will be single entry, non-extendable and valid for up to 15 days. (v) Travel for tourism or pilgrimage will be arranged during summer season i.e. April to October. (vi)Crossing for such visits will initially be from Chakothi-Uri and Rawalakot-Poonch Crossing points. (vii) Both sides will facilitate speedy clearance of applications for travel across LoC. The process time should not be more than 45 days. (viii) Both sides will extend necessary assistance to valid entry permit holders to cross the LoC in emergency situation on crossing as well as non-crossing days. This will be facilitated by designated authorities.
Cross-LoC Trade: (i) List of 21 products of permissible items for Cross-LoC trade will be respected by both sides. (ii) Regular meetings between the traders on monthly basis on both sides will be facilitated. (iii) The designated authorities will resolve operational issues concerning Cross-LoC trade through regular meetings. (iv)Improvement of roads and bridges for Cross-LoC trade will be facilitated. (v) Transportation links on operational crossing points will be upgraded. (vi)Both sides agreed to facilitate the exchange of business delegations.
It was agreed that the JWG on Cross-LoC CBMs will meet on a bi-annual basis to review existing arrangements and suggest additional CBMs and measures for Cross-LoC travel and trade. Both sides agreed to the need for promoting friendly exchanges between the two countries. They also discussed measures for promoting co-operation in various fields, including facilitating visits to religious shrines, media exchanges, holding of sports tournaments and cessation of hostile propaganda against each other.
The Ministers welcomed the signing of the new Visa Agreement which liberalises bilateral visa regime and introduces a number of measures, facilitating contacts between peoples of the two countries, who should remain at the heart of the relationship between Pakistan and India.
The two sides exchanged views on Siachen, Sir Creek and Wullar Barrage/ Tulbul Navigation Project, agreed that there is the need to effectively address these issues by finding mutually acceptable solutions and reiterated their commitment to do so. They also reaffirmed the importance of abiding by the provisions of the Indus Waters Treaty.
The Ministers expressed satisfaction at the progress registered towards normalising bilateral trade and commercial relations. The Ministers firmly reiterated that both sides will scrupulously adhere to the roadmap drawn up by the two Commerce Ministries for full normalisation of trade relations. They agreed that a strong and enhanced economic partnership is in the interest of peoples of both countries.
The Ministers welcomed reactivation of the Pakistan-India Joint Commission, in accordance with their decision taken last year. They Co-Chaired the Plenary of the Joint Commission, which met for the first time after 2007. The Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to the goals and objectives of Saarc and agreed to make joint efforts to promote co-operation for regional development in the Saarc framework.
The Ministers agreed to the launch of the next round of Secretary level dialogue on all eight segments, as contained in Para 4 above. Schedule for these meetings will be worked out through diplomatic channels. They further agreed that all these meetings will be held prior to their next review meeting in New Delhi in 2013.