India, Pak agree terrorism impeding peace efforts: Qureshi

THIMPHU - Underlining that terrorism is impeding peace efforts between New Delhi and Islamabad, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said that both nations have agreed to reduce the massive trust deficit existing between them.

Briefing the media about the meeting between Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and his Pakistani counterpart Yousuf Raza Gilani on the sidelines of the XVIth South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit here, Qureshi said both leaders vowed to take steps towards resuming talks, which were stalled following the November 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.

He said the meeting ended on a positive note with both nations realising that talks are the only way forward.

Qureshi revealed that Dr.Singh had said there is a trust deficit between both countries that needs urgent attention.

“We accept there is a trust deficit between the two countries.India has asked us to draft modalities, and we will,” Qureshi said.

He confirmed that India had raised the issue of the Mumbai terror attacks during the 50-minute talks, and Gilani in turn had assured of a speedy conclusion to the 26/11 trial.

Pakistan also received assurances from India that it has no intentions to destabilize the country, after Islamabad raised the issue of Balochistan at the meeting.

“The water issue was also brought under discussion between the two leaders,” he said, adding the region was facing a severe water crisis, and there is an important need to highlight water conservation on all platforms. (ANI)