Feb.25 Indo-Pak talks ‘exploratory’ ones: Qureshi

BEIJING - Terming the February 25 foreign secretary-level talks between India and Pakistan as an ‘exploratory’ meeting, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said Islamabad wants a meaningful dialogue with New Delhi.

Interacting with media persons after addressing the Institute of International Studies here, Qureshi said all issues confronting both countries must come up for discussions during the upcoming talks.

“After 14 months, they have re-engaged with us and have invited us for a dialogue. Pakistan wants a dialogue with India, but we want a meaningful dialogue. We want that all issues of concern to both sides should be brought on the table so that the dialogue is serious and meaningful,” The News quoted Qureshi, as saying.

Qureshi also claimed that India, through a joint communiqui, had agreed that acts of terrorism would not impede the process of dialogue between both nations.

He held that it was after unfortunate and tragic Mumbai incident that the Indian’s had unilaterally suspended the dialogue. India, he continued, had agreed with Pakistan through a joint communiqui that acts of terrorism will not impede the process of dialogue.

Qureshi said the ball is now India’s court, and the outcome the talks would largely depend on its approach.

“We have to see what comes out of the meeting on February 25.Pakistan is showing a constructive approach and if India also exhibits the same spirit obviously there will be progress,” Qureshi said.

Meanwhile, State Minister Malik Amad Khan has said that Pakistan has made it clear to India that all outstanding issues, including water and Kashmir, will be taken up at the bilateral talks.

Amad said Pakistan’s interests will be protected if India demands the extradition of Jammat-ud-Daawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed, who New Delhi considers as the prime plotter of the 26/11 attacks, or any other citizen during talks. (ANI)