India, Pakistan Finalise Mechanism To Resolve Bilateral Disputes

8 working groups set up to tackle all outstanding issues Both sides to release detained fishermen to build confidence

India and Pakistan yesterday achieved a major breakthrough towards normalisation of relations when they agreed to set up eight working groups to address outstanding issues, including the most contentious issues of Jammu and Kashmir and cross-border terrorism.

The two sides, as part of the confidence-building measures, also decided to release by July 15 about 194 Indian fishermen and 25 boats detained in Pakistan and 195 Pakistani fishermen and 26 boats held in India.

After three days of intense deliberations during the second round of foreign secretary-level talks here, the two sides decided to set up a mechanism, including the working groups at appropriate levels, to address the identified eight outstanding issues of concern to both sides in an integrated manner, a joint statement said.

 

Among the issues, peace and security, including the confidence-building measures as well as Jammu and Kashmir, have been given top priority, and they would be dealt with at the level of foreign secretaries who will also co-ordinate and monitor the progress of the work of all the working groups.

The other six outstanding issues identified are Siachen, Wullar barrage project and Tulbul navigation project, Sir Creek, terrorism and drug trafficking, economic and commercial cooperation, and promotion of friendly exchange in various fields.

It was apparent from the statement that both India and Pakistan made concessions to give the current round of talks, which had resumed in March after a hiatus of three years, a positive direction as earlier India was avoiding any negotiation on Kashmir while Pakistan was reluctant to talk about terrorism and trade and commerce without bringing in the issue.

The two sides also agreed to take all possible steps to prevent hostile propaganda and provocative actions against each other.

The two foreign secretaries Salman Haider of India and Shamshad Ahmed of Pakistan also had preliminary exchange of views on the composition of the working groups and the methodology of their functioning, and decided to continue the consideration of the matter through diplomatic channels.

The next round of foreign secretary-level talks between the two countries will be held in New Delhi in September, the statement said, describing the just-concluded deliberations as cordial and constructive.

About the civilian prisoners held on both sides, the joint spokesman, Khalid Salim, said it had been decided on principle to release them as soon as their list was finalised by both the sides.

Both sides agreed to take positive steps to prevent hostile propaganda and provocative actions against each other in view of recent reports about missile deployment and alleged violation of the Pakistani airspace.

G-7 praises breakthrough

India Abroad News Service WASHINGTON

The Group of Seven (G-7) comprising the worlds richest nations, joined also by Russia, has applauded the India-Pakistan talks to end years of bitter hostility. We welcome the emerging high-level dialogue between India and Pakistan, the leaders of the United States, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, along with Russia, declared in the final communique issued at the end of the three-day G-7 summit in Denver, Colorado.

In Washington a Clinton administration official said, We are quite pleased the way the India-Pakistan dialogue is coming along, and as we have said repeatedly, we strongly support this dialogue and will encourage it in any way we can.

But we dont see a direct role in these talks, he emphasized.

The G-7 communique however called on New Delhi and Islamabad to bring their activities into conformity with international non-proliferation norms.