Pakistan, India may resume talks
The Express Tribune has learnt through diplomatic sources that the two countries will first restore the ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) and the working boundary (WB) before a meeting between their foreign secretaries will be held.
India had cancelled the foreign secretaries’ talks at the last moment in August in protest against the Pakistani high commissioner’s meeting with Kashmiri leaders in New Delhi. The prospect of rapprochement was further diminished when clashes broke out in October between the two militaries along the LoC and WB which left at least two dozen people, mostly civilians, on both sides of the frontier dead.
Thursday’s informal interaction between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi at a retreat in Kathmandu helped cool down the temperature, according to diplomatic sources.
There was no official word from either side about the ‘informal chat’ but the sources and Pakistani officials hoped this would lead to some positive development. They also indicated that tension between the two countries would ease in the coming weeks.
One source suggested that foreign secretaries from the two countries could meet in March. Meanwhile, at her weekly news briefing, foreign ministry spokesperson Tasnim Aslam told reporters that Pakistan wanted peace in the neighbourhood.
“As the prime minister said in his speech yesterday, we need to focus on economic development. Good neighbourly ties have to be on the basis of equality,” Tasnim added.
She dismissed media reports that Pakistan impeded the progress of Saarc, saying Islamabad had played a very constructive role in the meetings leading up to the summit.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 28th, 2014.
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Waste of time. That's my conclusion and that's of the majority of us Indians. We have walked down this garden path too many times to know any better. The Modi government must just ignore Pakistan completely and move forward. We can live without Pakistan. Why are we so bothered about Pakistan and peace with this nation is beyond me,
@Bewildered: Tend to agree with Siraj. There was nothing else that could compel NS to sign if hi really did not want to sign.
Peace talks' success is only and only based on the Kashmir's issue's resolution according to UNO's resolutions and Kashmiri people's wish thru plebiscite other wise peace talks would be only photo sessions,fashion shows and wastage of time and money because Kashmir's issue is only the bone of contention and the biggest and greatest ever hindrance in the way of success of peace talks and peace and friendship between Pakistan and India and any India's extremely personal proposal for Kashmir issue's resolution would be unacceptable......
Sharif and Pakistani leaders have always spoken with a forked tongue to use a well worn phrase. If Sharif wanted to have meaningful relations with India then why did he ask his ambassador to speak with separatist Kashmiri leaders. Pakistan's foreign policy is based on enmity with India. It proclaims to want meaningful relations yet sends terrorists to India and attacks across the LoC. There is nothing Pakistan has that interests India.
@Chulbul Pandey: "As an Indian, I now want to join Immu’s Jalsa on the 30th and chant – Go Nawaz go!"
Wouldn't recommend that. "Immu" is a empty suit with his greed for power overwhelming any other principles he might have had.
@Chulbul Pandey: That tells to whom Immu represents. Any question?
@Motiwala: If you know nothing about diplomacy, please keep your opinions to yourself. Mr. Aziz is a seasoned and well-respected public servant. Diplomacy and preservation of national interests is a serious business and cannot be handled or understood by people on the street. Pakistan is not your private property and you have no right to make off the wall comments about its functionaries. So get lost.
As an Indian, I now want to join Immu's Jalsa on the 30th and chant - Go Nawaz go!
For people practicing common culture, the logic says that peace should also be the common denomintor between them. They need only to jump over their shadows?
Rex Minor
@Sartaj Aziz: lol!
@Bewildered: We have much better relations with all our neighbors than Pakistan has. At least our neighbors do not keep building walls around us
"The Express Tribune has learnt through diplomatic sources that the two countries will first restore the ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) and the working boundary (WB) before a meeting between their foreign secretaries will be held."
This says the condition set by India for talks is still there and seems accepted by pakistan who earlier refused for any condition but now seems coming to line although pakistan army cant be trusted and if they open fire once again then this so call speculation if true will again goes to deep freeze so pakistan need to consult its army before announcing something.
Pakistan found isolated and start realizing it and then comes in compromising position to talk with mighty india.
@Motiwala: For once I agree with you.
Picture says it all.... Now would you listen to me....
@Motiwala, can you please mind your business. Diplomatic relations cannot be left to kids.
We have tainted the waters of pure lateral accommodations between Indian & Pakistani people. There are more similarities than differences to spotlight, the two countries in peace can forge a strong relationship to advance economic growth for the middle class so what is the hold up, are outside forces making sure the two countries are at logger heads for other reasons?
People of both countries love each other. Let peace prevail!
@Siraj Ahmed:
"This isolated Pakistan completely."
Ever you heard the phrase "Fools Paradise"? By the way, which neighboring country India has cordial dispute free relations except the fact that others get bullied but China and Pakistan do not? Further, using some representative moniker instead of a misleading one adds to one's own respect in this forum.
The main purpose of NS visit is accomplished. Business.
All agreements in SAARC are based on complete consensus. After one nation, Pakistan, did not sign the agreement for integrated energy grid, all other nations were ready to sign on their own with India. This isolated Pakistan completely. That is why Nawaz Sharif had to join the party and sign the agreement.
Its a good outcome provided Pakistan establishment dismantles all terrorist infrastructures and stop infiltrating terrorists into all its neighbors.
@Motiwala: i think your recommendation is one on which readers of news from both sides who comment here will unanimously agree. Sartaj, have a heart and go and play with your great grand children.
India should wait at least till 30th Nov.!!!!
Keep that Sartaj Aziz out of these talks. He is no longer a viable diplomat. He needs to retire. Just go somewhere. There need to be younger blood on each side.