New Delhi, April 9
India and Pakistan are going to pick up the thread again to normalise bilateral relations as the two sides will meet in Islamabad on May 20 to resume the composite dialogue that has been waiting for a signal form the new government in Islamabad.
The foreign secretary level review of the Fourth Round of the India-Pakistan composite dialogue will be conducted in Islamabad on May 20 and after that the foreign ministers the two neighbouring countries will review the progress made in the Fourth Round of the composite dialogue on May 21 in Islamabad.
The announcement, made simultaneously in two capitals today, is important as it reflects the firm will of the two governments to carry on the engagement.
External affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee’s visit to Islamabad in the third week of the next month is likely to prepare the ground for a subsequent visit to Pakistan by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
The two sides have a long way to go in tackling hosts of issues, including all eight subjects covered under the composite dialogue process. These eight issues include Jammu and Kashmir, Siachen and Sir Creek. Besides, there are other bilateral issues that the two sides will be taking up during the foreign ministers-level meeting in Islamabad, such as prisoners, fishermen, the implementation of the already agreed CBMs.
There is a strong possibility that two sides may also pay attention to issues related to trade and economy during these talks.
