Pak-India accord to end tension, reduce rifts

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and India on Tuesday agreed to end the tension on the Line of Control (LoC) and Working Boundary and narrow down the differences in “a spirit of friendship and cooperation”.
Indian Foreign Secretary Subrahmanyam Jaishankar called on Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Adviser to PM on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz and Special Assistant to PM on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi after one-on-one and delegation-level talks with his Pakistani counterpart Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry. This was the first interaction between the two sides after 2012.
The Indian foreign secretary handed over a letter from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Nawaz Sharif.Nawaz welcomed the meeting between the two foreign secretaries in Islamabad and hoped that the process would continue. He underlined the importance of enhanced cooperation among the Saarc member states.
Pakistan said when both the countries were ready, future meetings could be planned by remaining in contact. Bilateral and regional issues, including those of common concern like Jammu and Kashmir, Sir Creek, Siachen Glacier, water issues, tension at the LoC and Working Boundary and terrorism, found place in the discussions held at the Foreign Office.
“Both sides raised concerns and this visit is an ice-breaking development,” commented thespokesperson at the Foreign Office.
Jaishankar said that the talks were held in a constructive and positive atmosphere, where he reiterated India’s concerns on cross border terrorism, including on the Mumbai case and emphasised that ensuring peace and tranquillity on the border was vital.
“Naturally, my visit provided an opportunity to discuss our bilateral relations. We engaged on each other’s concerns and interests in an open manner. We agreed to work together to find a common ground and narrow down the differences,” Jaishankar told the media while leaving the Foreign Office.
Later, while briefing the media, Aizaz Chaudhry, together with High Commissioner Abdul Basit and spokesperson Tasneem Aslam, pointed out that terrorism was a threat not only to Pakistan and India but indeed for the whole region.
“In Pakistan, there is a strong commitment to eradicate this threat. While India raised its own concerns, we also raised the issue of Samjhauta Express and (Indian involvement) in Fata and Balochistan. The spirit of friendship and cooperation should guide us as we want a peaceful neighbourhood,” Chaudhry said, adding that till yet no details of the findings of Samjhauta Express case had been shared with Pakistan.
Pointing to the continued shelling on the LoC and Working Boundary, he advised using full use of the existing mechanism of the hotline between the two DGMOs, sector commanders and flag meetings.Since officially Jaishankar was in town for a meeting on Saarc issues, Pakistan announced that it would host the 19th Saarc Summit and to which all Saarc leaders would be invited.
“Pakistan gives great importance to Saarc and both sides agreed to work together for its full potential,” Chaudhry added.Earlier, Jaishankar told the media that he conveyed the expectations of his leadership on Saarc and their determination to forge a cooperative relationship with all neighbours.
“We discussed ideas and initiatives to take Saarc forward. Pakistan will be the next Saarc Chair and India would like to work with Pakistan to help Saarc achieve its potential,” he said.Pakistan also raised the issue of the need for more people-to-people contacts, including religious tourism, mutually-beneficial trade and discouraging hostile propaganda.