Islamabad, May 20
External affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee, who arrived in Islamabad on a two-day visit, said India approaches the next round of talks in a spirit of cooperation, trust and pragmatism.
“This is predicated on an atmosphere free from terrorism, violence or the threat of it,” he said.
The Minister expressed confidence that the “new democratic environment” would help in addressing various issues related to peace, stability and economic development.
Mukherjee, who will hold talks with his counterpart Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Wednesday in first high-level contact with the new dispensation in Islamabad, cited the “tragic assassination” of former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto to emphasise to Islamabad the need for ending cross-border terrorism.
“Her (Bhutto’s) loss is still a fresh wound. Not just Pakistan, but our entire region has lost a charismatic leader of great promise, foresight and capability,” he said about Bhutto in a carefully-worded statement to media at the Chaklala Air Base on his arrival from Delhi.
He landed in Islamabad as the two countries resumed the composite dialogue, with Foreign Secretaries Shivshankar Menon and Salman Bashir discussing terrorism, Kashmir and various confidence building measures while reviewing the fourth round of dialogue.
The Indian side is understood to have voiced its concern over continued cross-border terrorism and infiltration.
“For the sake of our collective futures, we (India and Pakistan) must work together to combat the menace of terrorism,” Mukherjee said, adding “that would be a fitting tribute” to Bhutto’s “memory and legacy”.
Mukherjee, who met leaders of ruling PPP Asif Ali Zardari and PML(N) Nawaz Sharif soon after his arrival, noted that his visit was taking place “amidst a new democratic environment of great promise”.
Pointing out that the composite dialogue had made “considerable progress” so far, he said, “We approach the next round in a spirit of cooperation, trust and pragmatism. This is predicated on an atmosphere free from terrorism, violence or the threat of it.”
“The present environment, I am sure, will help us in addressing various issues related to peace, stability and economic development,” the minister said.
Noting that several proposals in the political, economic and regional fields are on the “anvil for consideration and implementation”, he expressed confidence that his talks with the Pakistani leaders would be useful in furthering peace, stability, people-to-people contacts and accelerated economic development of both the countries as well as the region.
“In my discussions with foreign minister Qureshi, I hope to consolidate the progress made in our relationship, which provides a good basis for the fifth round of composite dialogue,” Mukherjee said at the airport.
Besides holding talks with Qureshi, Mukherjee will meet President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday before winding up his two-day visit.
— Agencies
