Indo-Pak foreign secretary level talks on February 25

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan has reportedly accepted India’s proposal to hold foreign secretary-level talks on February 25 in New Delhi.

Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao had proposed February 18 or February 25 as tentative dates for the talks, during her meeting with Pakistan High Commissioner to India Shahid Malik last week.

The decision was taken at a meeting held at the Prime Minister’s House here. Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani chaired the meeting, which reviewed various issues concerning both countries and chalked out the strategy for the forthcoming talks

A statement issued from Gilani’s office confirmed Islamabad’s participation, saying various issues, including the long pending Kashmir issue and water dispute would come up for discussions during the meeting.

Gilani directed Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir to make the negotiations fruitful.

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, chairman Kashmir Committee Maulana Fazlur Rehman were also present at the meeting.

“We will go to Delhi with an open mind and steer the discussions towards a positive direction,” said Bashir, who will lead the Pakistani delegation at the talks.

He said the discussions would cover all issues between both countries.

Bashir said Pakistan is ready to discuss all issues, including terrorism emanating from the neighbouring soil, which has been a major concern for India.

New Delhi had earlier made it clear that resumption of talks at any level was not possible unless Islamabad takes substantial action against Lashkar-i-Taiba (LeT) and its front face Jamaat-ud-Daawa (JuD).

India has pressing Pakistan to prosecute JuD chief Hafiz Mohammed Saeed, who is considered the mastermind of the ghastly Mumbai terror attacks.

The proposed foreign secretary level talks will see India and Pakistan resume deliberations after a hiatus of 14 months after 26/11.

However, question still remains that if the talks would lead to more substantive negotiations.

In 2004, India and Pakistan resumed dialogue over Kashmir as well as a broad range of other issues, including economic cooperation and water disputes. The process did not provide any major breakthrough, but it helped develop a better understanding between two countries. (ANI)