Pakistan

Gilani hopeful about dialogue with India

Prime Minister urges India not to hold the peace process hostage to one terrorist incident.

Express January 10, 2011

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has voiced hope that the forthcoming foreign-secretary level talks between Pakistan and India will lead to resumption of ‘meaningful and result oriented’ dialogue.

The two foreign secretaries will meet on the sidelines of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation meeting scheduled to take place in Thimphu, Bhutan between 6-7 February.

In a meeting with German Foreign Minister Dr Guido Westerwelle, Premier Gilani urged India not to hold the peace process hostage to one terrorist incident.

“India should resume the composite dialogue with Pakistan to resolve all the outstanding issues with Pakistan peacefully and expeditiously, including the Kashmir dispute,” Gilani told the German foreign minister.

He sounded upbeat saying that India would respond positively and constructively to Pakistan’s sincere efforts for the resumption of meaningful dialogue at the forthcoming talks in Bhutan.

A statement issued by the Prime Minister House said Gilani conveyed his appreciation to the German government for clarifying the negative comments attributed to Chancellor Angela Merkel about Pakistan during her recent visit to India.

The statement said the prime minister noted with thanks the Germany’s important role in passage of Trade Concession Package for Pakistan by the EU and continued support for its passage through WTO.

He urged Germany to use its influence with countries like India, Bangladesh, Vietnam and Peru to drop their resistance for approval of the package by WTO.

In his remarks, the German foreign minister termed Pakistan as the most important country in world’s fight against terrorism. “Pakistan is a trusted friend of Germany and Chancellor Angela Merkel held Pakistan in the highest esteem and her remarks about Pakistan during a press conference in India were distorted by the interested quarters,” he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 10^th, 2011.

COMMENTS (4)

Ahmer Ali | 13 years ago | Reply Assalam-o-Allaikum Warahmatullah.Indian leadership is just deceiving and fooling Pakistani leadership and Indian Occupied Kashmiri people on the name of fake peace talks and just photo sessions and fashion shows are held with Indian leaders to resolve the most burning and core issues.I am surprised 60 years have gone and Kashmir issue is hanged in balance and despite all peace talks Indian leaders claim Kashmir is the integral part of India and accuse and allege Pakistan of interference by ISI and Mijahideen and one most important statement is given by both countries' leaders,id est,emphasis on the continuation of peace talks.The most concerned issues for Indian leaders are Mumbai attacks and interference in Kashmir by ISI and Mujahideen.If Pakistani leaders obey Indian leaders' commandments and remove their reservations then they are sincere and honest to resolve all issues with India.I don't know either Pakistani leaders don't want to know or don't know Indian leaders' attitudes for the resolution of sensitive issues with Indian government.Now Kashmir issue can never be resolved through fake peace talks with Indian leaders.Every one must keep it in the minds.

G.Din | 13 years ago | Reply "...Gilani urged India not to hold the peace process hostage to one terrorist incident..." You don't get it, do you? India is not holding peace process hostage to one terrorist incident, but waiting for Pakistan to make a credible beginning in dismantling terrorist infrastructure on its territory. Do you understand, Gilani?

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Ravee | 13 years ago | Reply We in india, wish to know, what is willing to give to India as a very good confidence building measure. We in India do want wish anything spectacular, or path breaking, just few good actions.

ABCDEFG | 13 years ago | Reply "In his remarks, the German foreign minister termed Pakistan as the most important country in world’s fight against terrorism. “Pakistan is a trusted friend of Germany and Chancellor Angela Merkel held Pakistan in the highest esteem and her remarks about Pakistan during a press conference in India were distorted by the interested quarters,” he added." *smirks........

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