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Press Release
Joint Statement issued after Foreign Minister level Review of the Fourth
Round of the India-Pakistan Composite Dialogue
(Islamabad; May 21, 2008)
1.
The Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi, and
External Affairs Minister of India, Mr. Pranab Mukherjee, met in
Islamabad on 21 May 2008 to review the progress made in the Fourth Round
of Pakistan-India Composite Dialogue. This was preceded by a meeting
between the Foreign Secretary of Pakistan, Mr. Salman Bashir and Foreign
Secretary of India, Mr. Shivshankar Menon, on 20 May 2008.
2. The talks were held in a friendly and constructive atmosphere.
3. They reviewed the progress made in the Fourth Round of the Composite
Dialogue encompassing (i) Peace and Security, including CBMs; (ii) Jammu
and Kashmir; (iii) Siachen; (iv) Sir Creek; (v) Wullar Barrage/Tulbul
Navigation Project; (vi) Terrorism and Drug Trafficking; (vii) Economic
and Commercial Cooperation; and (viii) Promotion of Friendly Exchanges
in Various Fields.
4 They noted the positive contribution to improvement of relations by
the Composite Dialogue process since its resumption after the joint
statement of 6 January 2004 and the subsequent Summit Statements of 25
September 2004, 18 April 2005, 14 September 2005 and 16 September 2006.
The Ministers reaffirmed their determination not to let terrorism impede
the peace process and take all necessary steps to eliminate this scourge
against humanity. They further resolved to carry forward the peace
process and to maintain its momentum.
5. The Ministers noted
that in 2007 and over the course of the Fourth Round of Composite
Dialogue there had been a number of important bilateral achievements,
including:
• MoU to increase the frequencies, designated airlines and points of
call in either country.
• Agreement for the trucks from one side to cross the border up to
designated points on the other side at the Wagah-Attari border.
• Increase in frequency of Delhi- Lahore bus service from two to three
trips per week.
• Signing of Agreement on ‘Reducing the Risk from Accidents relating to
Nuclear Weapons’.
• MoU between the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and
Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) to facilitate the
sharing of information between two agencies.
• Completion of the Joint Survey of Sir Creek and adjoining areas.
• Two meetings of the Joint Anti-Terrorism Mechanism.
6. The two sides signed
the Agreement on Consular Access, which was finalised during the Fourth
round of Composite Dialogue.
7. They exchanged views on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir and agreed to
continue discussions to build on convergences and narrow down
divergences. They also agreed to continue with the implementation of
Cross-LoC CBMs with a view to enhancing interaction and cooperation
across the LoC. In this regard, they decided:
a) To increase the frequency of Muzaffarabad -Srinagar and
Rawalkot-Poonch Bus service from a fortnightly to a weekly basis.
b) To finalize modalities
for intra-Kashmir trade and truck service as early as possible.
c) To implement other
measures to expand and facilitate travel a meeting of Working Group on
Cross-LoC CBMs would be convened within two months.
8. They reaffirmed the importance of ceasefire in place since November
2003 and the commitment of both sides to cooperate to safeguard it.
9. They agreed that progress has been made under the Composite Dialogue
process on promoting a stable environment of Peace and Security
including CBMs. The Expert Groups on Nuclear and Conventional CBMs
should consider existing and additional proposals by both sides with a
view to developing further confidence building measures in the nuclear
and conventional fields.
10. Both sides exchanged views on Siachen and reiterated their
commitment to seeking an early amicable solution.
11. Both sides expressed
satisfaction on the progress made on Sir Creek, with the completion of
the joint survey, the exchange of maps, and the discussions thereafter.
They agreed to further facilitate the process for an early resolution of
this issue.
12. Both sides reiterated their commitment to fight terrorism in all its
forms and manifestations, and re-emphasized the need for effective steps
for the complete elimination of this menace. In this context, it was
agreed to continue cooperation in the Joint Anti-Terrorism Mechanism
whose next meeting would be held within two months. Both sides agreed to
refrain from hostile propaganda.
13. Both sides emphasized the need for further strengthening cooperation
to eliminate drug trafficking and welcomed the finalization of an MOU on
Cooperation between Pakistan’s Anti-Narcotics Force and Narcotics
Control Board of India.
14.
Both sides reiterated the importance of enhancing mutually beneficial
economic and commercial cooperation and agreed to discuss further steps
for facilitating trade and redressing the trade imbalance. In this
regard, Indian and Pakistan Railway officials would meet in June for
resolving all technical issues to enable increase in to and fro freight
movement. They also agreed to facilitate the process of early opening of
bank branches in the two countries.
15. Both sides appreciated the work being done by the Judicial Committee
on Prisoners, which will meet in Pakistan shortly; welcomed the
finalization of the Consular Access Agreement that will help addressing
humanitarian aspects relating to persons under detention in each other’s
country and; agreed to provide on a regular basis updated and
comprehensive list of prisoners in each other jails.
16. Both sides agreed to the need for promoting friendly exchanges
between the two countries.
17. Both sides agreed to the early finalization of the Visa Agreement
which will help liberalize the visa regime and facilitate
people-to-people contacts.
18. The two Ministers reiterated their commitment to the
Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline project and had a useful exchange of
views in this regard.
19. The two Foreign Ministers also exchanged views on promoting the
Pakistan-India peace process, reinvigoration of SAARC and agreed to work
towards promoting regional cooperation for enabling South Asia to
realize its full development potential. It was agreed to work for
promoting sustainable development and food and energy security.
20. It was decided that the two Foreign Secretaries will launch the
Fifth Round of the Composite Dialogue in New Delhi in July 2008.
21. The External Affairs Minister of India, Mr. Pranab Mukherjee, called
on the President and the Prime Minister of Pakistan.
Islamabad
May 21, 2008 |
