Indo-Pak Foreign Secretary Level Talks Likely to Begin This Month
India and Pakistan have agreed to take steps to restore ties which were severed following Mumbai terror attacks and the foreign secretaries of the two countries are likely to meet later this month as a part of a new confidence building exercise, reported CNN-IBN.
Reports said that Pakistani High Commissioner Shahid Malik called on India Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao on Friday and held discussion for around 40 minutes.
“We discussed the possible agenda, dates. I will revert to my government. Dialogue is the only way forward. We welcome India’s proposal,” Malik was quoted as saying. “India seemed to be on the same page as well.”
Vishnu Prakash, MEA spokesperson, was quoted as saying: “We discussed about forthcoming talks. We await Pakistan’s response on dates.”
Report said citing sources that India proposed two sets of dates and Pakistan would revert on soon.
Reports said that a broad agreement was reached that the two foreign secretaries would focus on rebuilding confidence post 26/11.
The agenda of talks is reported to include enhancing co-operation in counter-terrorism, enhancing cross LoC and bilateral trade, enhancing travel linkages like new buses and train services, boosting tourism flows to each other’s countries, ensuring sanctity of the ceasefire, humanitarian issues such as those on prisoner treatment and facilitating release of fishermen, said report.
