International NEWS
Pak Raises Kashmir Issue in Trust-building Talks: Reports
June 24, 2010 Visionmp.com news service
As Indian foreign secretary Nirupama Rao and her Pakistani counterpart Salman Bashir begin first round of trust-deficit building talks in Islamabad, Pakistan has raised the Kashmir issue again, said media reports.
India is waiting to see if Pakistan will walk the talk and bridge the trust deficit between the two neighbours since the Mumbai attacks in 2008.
The meeting between the two foreign secretaries is aimed at setting the tone for the next round of talks between foreign ministers in July and at rebuilding trust and working out measures to counter terrorism are on agenda.
Doubts have already been cast over the outcome of the ongoing meet after Pakistan once again played the Kashmir card.
Besides demanding talks on Kashmir issue first, the Pakistani side also demanded reduction of Indian troops from the border.
Echoing the demands of the J&K separatists, Pakistan has asked for rollback of what they call ‘draconian’ laws.
Rao had yesterday said that her visit was a kind of exploration for reducing trust deficit that exists between the two countries.
Following the talks with Bashir, Rao will call on Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi at 2 pm Pakistani time.
No joint media interaction by the two Foreign Secretaries has been scheduled so far and it is expected that both sides will arrange separate news briefings.
From Indian side, cross border Terrorism tops the agenda, including taking action against 26/11 plotter Hafiz Saeed.
India seeks to narrow the focus on terror instead of making it all inclusive.
Pakistan wants to broaden the scope for talks and their agenda focuses on de-linking terror from talks.
They are looking to define terrorism as a common problem and raise the issue of Indian involvement in Balochistan.
Pakistan is also likely to raise the issue of the 1960 Indus water treaty.
(Based on internet reports)
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