INDIA, PAKISTAN TO RESUME DIALOGUE, BUT NO CRICKET YET
Amitabh Pashupati Revi
Sushma Swaraj, who went to Islamabad on Tuesday to attend a meeting on Afghanistan, today met Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
India and Pakistan will resume comprehensive bilateral dialogue, foreign minister Sushma Swaraj announced in Islamabad today amid efforts by both nations to improve ties. The discussions will encompass a wide range of issues from counter-terrorism to economic cooperation, but the cricketing ties between the two nations is yet to get the green signal.
Here are the latest developments:
1. “India and Pakistan are ready for talks. How this dialogue can be taken forward – the schedule and modalities will be decided in due course,” Sushma Swaraj said today after meeting Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Foreign Affairs Adviser Mr Sartaj Aziz.
2. The discussions will involve “peace and security, CBMs, Jammu & Kashmir, Siachen… Economic and Commercial Cooperation, Counter-Terrorism.. Humanitarian Issues, People to People exchanges and religious tourism,” said a joint statement.
3. “The Indian side was assured of the steps being taken to expedite the early conclusion of the Mumbai trial,” the joint statement read.
4. “The NSAs will continue to address all issues connected to terrorism,” the joint statement also said.
5. India, however, has not given green signal for the resumption of cricketing ties between the two nations, Pakistan Cricket Board chief Shahryar Khan has said.
6. It was expected that the cricket series would go ahead after the meeting between Ms Swaraj and Mr Aziz.
7. “The External Affairs Minister conveyed to Prime Minister Sharif India’s commitment to good neighbourly relations,” foreign ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said.
8. Ms Swaraj had gone to Islamabad on Tuesday to attend a conference on Afghanistan. At the ‘Heart of Asia Summit’, she said, “It is time we display maturity and self-confidence to do business with each other and strengthen regional trade and cooperation.”
9. The first visit by an Indian foreign minister to Pakistan in three years comes as part of a series of events following a surprise meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Nawaz Sharif in Paris two weeks ago on the sidelines of the climate change conference.
10. The meeting between the two Prime Ministers had led to secret talks between the National Security Advisors of both countries in Bangkok on Sunday.
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