ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan and India are likely to announce new confidence building measures (CBMs) related to the longstanding Kashmir dispute when foreign ministers of the nuclear-armed neighbours meet in New Delhi this week.
The CBMs include increase in the number of trading points as well as trading days - from the existing two to four - across the Line of Control (LoC), launch of a new bus service between Kargil and Skardu and also increasing the frequency of a bus link between Muzaffarabad and Srinagar, a Foreign Office official told The Express Tribune.
The agreement on the new CBMs was finalised at the recently held meeting of the Pak-India Joint Working Group in New Delhi and is part of efforts by the two countries to facilitate trade and travel on both sides of the LoC.
The official said the foreign secretaries, who are due to meet on July 26 - a day before the ministerial-level talks between the two countries - will further discuss the issue. “The new CBMs will be placed before the two foreign ministers and they may announce the final agreement at the end of talks,” said the official, who requested not to be named.
Presently, trade is allowed between Muzaffarabad-Uri and Poonch-Rawalakot. However, according to Indian media, New Delhi has proposed three additional trading routes including Nauseri-Tithwal, Hajipur-Uri and Tattapani-Mendhar.
Traders from both sides of the LoC have been demanding an increase in the number of trade days from two to four, resumption of telecommunication links between the Indian and Pakistani administered parts of Kashmir and inclusion of more items from both sides as part of the trade activity.
Foreign Office officials said the two countries are trying to address these issues in order to facilitate traders from both sides of the LoC.
Meanwhile, Pakistan and India reaffirmed their commitment to cooperate in the probe into the November 2008 Mumbai attacks at a meeting Saturday between Interior Minister Rehman Malik and his Indian counterpart P Chidambaram on the sidelines of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation security meet.
The two leaders issued a joint statement after their meeting ‘held in a cordial atmosphere’.
“The interior minister of Pakistan affirmed that his ministry was working toward an early visit of a judicial commission from Pakistan to India. He expressed hope that the visit would take place at an early date,” the joint statement said. The probe panel from Pakistan will record statements of Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate
RV Sawant Waghule and investigating officer Ramesh Mahale.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 25th, 2011.
COMMENTS (36)
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@Vicram Singh:
Did this Pan-Indian civilization also include Mizoram, nagaland, sikkim etc. Did the vast majority of the populace speak sanskrit ? Persian was spoken from the borders of Turkey to the eastern edge of the subcontinent. Does that make us a part of Persian civilization?? This entire region had multiple civilizations, races and people who in some cases were similar to each other and in others were quite dissimilar. It is indeed true that variants of the Hindu religion were practiced in Afghanistan. There were several upheavals - social, religious and political in the subcontinent over the past millenia. The rise and the marginalization of buddhism, introduction of Islam and the birth of sikhism - just to name a few. All of this has enriched our culture, art, poetry, architecture and our gene pool. To talk in terms of revanchism and to yearn for a mythical past makes you no better than some of our friends who imagine that they came here from the sands of Arabia mounted on a 2 humped camel.
@Frank
You are our answer to India's Narender Modi.We need millions like you. Keep it up.
@Rock:
Hi there.. I am not from across the border. I was born, bred, raised Indian and I continue to reside in India. I quite dig history. However, Indian civilization is too much of a generalization. We have different cultures and subcultures in India. Many of these have been mutually antagonistic over vast periods of history. Many of them have also consistently considered themselves to be a nation.
Cultural homogeneity and a shared past can contribute to nation building. However (especially in the modern world), notions of shared goals and interests are the mortar that bind people within a nation. My sincere opinion is that Religions don't build nations - Religious belief is hardly a unifying force.. Look at Pakistan for corroboration! I for one am happy to accept that India is a collection of diverse cultures and peoples.
Noor,
I understand where you are coming from, but is actually not a disingenuous notion. The ancient Indian, Chinese, Egyptian, Mesopotamian and Greek Civilizations all have made an impact on humanity as it stands today, but out of all of these, the cultural norms and customs associated with the ancient Indian civilization are still alive today. Maybe many sections of the population no longer follow it completely. For example, many Kashmiris and Keralites and people from North Eastern states follow some customs and traditions that did not originate in the Indian subcontinent though they haven't disavowed this past completely by any means (Wazwan, the popular "Kashmiri" dish, is actually Turkik in origin and not Kashmiri - It would be very difficult to believe a Kashmiri Brahmin 1100 years ago consuming a dish with that much meat)
I think it is fair to say that modern India as a political and administrative unit is not a place that is strictly uniform in the cultural norms it consists nor does it have to be.
@Noor: " Please note that there was NO pan Indian civilization before Independence. "
Thailand's main airport is called Swarnabhumi ( Swarna = Gold, Bhoomi = Land ) - which is a Sanskrit word; the National Airline of Indonesia is called Garuda ( Hindu mythology ) again; the list can go on ...
The Indian/Hindu cultural empire extended from the boundary of Afghanistan, all the way to the tips of South East Asia.
@Noor: You have focused more on the word indian civilisation than rest of my content. I know history is difficult for pakistanis as most of your historians and the educationist admitted. common statement we hear "that's not in pakistan's national interest." But the word indian civilisation is universly approved one and if posible go through different resources. India still has lots of historical treasures, underground cities, underwater wall on western sea coast and what not. But we are not focus in unearthing the lost paradise because our first task is making india economical stable by avoiding the mistakes of USA. "Indians always enjoyed the diversity and we will continue to do so because that is our strength." I hope peace prevails in the subcontinent.
@Ahmad Khan: Got to internet Ahmad and go to You Tube. You will find your Air chief Asghar Khan, telling you the truth of those wars, besides him, you can also see and hear Nazam Sethi talking about it. If you also check there how you all are taught wrongly in schools by the books developed in Zia regime. I am giving you a link herewith of a TV program of 35 minutes duration, which you can see and learn how wrongly you and your generation has been misinformed right from school time. see this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THWCGcmL530 So, learn something before commenting.
@rock: I would agree that India was not the aggressor in 65 and 47. India seems to have been a notional aggressor in 71. Kargil of course is beyond debate. Please note that there was NO pan Indian civilization before Independence. Modern India is a beautifully constructed idea composed of many nations, ethnicities and races. To project this idea back into history is disingenuous and counter productive. We must accept that all these different people came together and decided to cast their lot together 64 years ago.
Hope the proverb "Beauty without brains" is consigned to dustbin.
@Ahmad Khan: Please send the reference of book which states that wars were started by India.
Its going to be a moment Krishna was desperately waiting for...
Thomas
Which is why you're all on your knees begging us to trade with you? And why do you keep calling the sixth most populous country in the world a 'small' country? Is there some kind of complex here?
You enjoying images of stone throwing Kashmiri kids being fired at by Indian occupation troops plastered all over the world's media? You keep doing whatever it is you feel you need to do and so will we But no normalization of ties until Kashmir is free. And we can get back at you in many, many ways. Don't expect your new bankrupt buddy the USA to be around for long either.
@Frank: I don't think India is so keen about trading with Pakistan. Pakistan is a small country with a small market. India has done well so far without trade with Pakistan,though it may help Pak to trade with India. And if the Pakistanis think by talking to India or by fighting, India is going to give up Kashmir doesn't seem to be a realistic expectation.. Things are what they are and it is going to remain the same.
@Frank I agree with you.But who cares???And if you are not trading with India then who is at loss?? We do'nt need Pakistan its a total waste of time to engage with Pakistan.They do'nt deserve it.If you engage with them and believe them they will stab you at back and do Kargil or Mumbai.
@Ahmer Ali,I agree with you there is no point talking Kashmir.Its a gone case for Pakistan even Kashmiri do'nt want to be a part of Pakistan.For that matter ,who will? Pakistan will do well to not allow Baloochistan and NWFP to become a separate country.
Can we trade kashmiri terrorists for Lahori mangoes?
thanks Frank!
Most of the times the CBM's are take in India as 'Controversies Building Measures' and in Pakistan as 'Conspiracies Building Measures'.
@Frank: In few years time it won't be Pakistan's call as to what it accepts or not, on its present course of events!!! Rest assure, those days are not that far away. One only has to see the state of Law & Order in major cities and scale of corruption and blatant disregard for authority, economic crises which has brought the country on brink of bankruptsy without support of Aid & loans, in today's pakistan to arrive at that assessment ! In meantime Kashmir will always remain that Mirage or Forgotten Fruit !!! Dream on !!
Forget it, guys, Pakistan will never accept the Indian occupation of Kashmir. Go trade with someone else.
@ Ahmed Khan:
Every voice emanating from Pakistan has invariable reference of both countries have nuclear power/ nuclear arms. It is not clear in what context it is being used ..??? Especially, at the time when both countries heading for peace talks. Moreover, who attacked on whom in 47,65, 71 & during Kargil, please read following or any independent source to know the facts:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indo-PakistaniWarof1947 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indo-PakistaniWarof1965 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indo-PakistaniWarof1971 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KargilWar
@Ahmer Ali:
Thanks for saving a few lines of writing for me and other Indians.
@Ahmad Khan: Indian civilisation never attacked any country in last 5000years. You can confirm the dates of 47,65,71 with UN source. The general feeling in pakistan is that India is going to attack them that is why I said Indian is not millitary state. Our foreign policy is always based on economic policies. I hope hinaji's foreign policies too are independent just like us. You guys know why I use the word independent.
@ Ahmad Khan - have you ever studied history in your life ?
why Ms.Hina is coming to India ?
Ms Hina that would be your first test. You have to prove despite young age you are competent enough to hold this post, Being the first female FM of Pakistan, a male dominated society, you are given the chance to prove that Pakistan women are fit to hold any challenge in this modern age. My prayers are with you. Let play your inning bravely. world is watching..................
Engaging is ok, but nowadays it has become a full time job for Indian Government. Time they stop wasting time and concentrate on other countries to improve trade relations.
nice to see a woman being made our foreign minister.this has upset a lot of misogynistic men as i've heard the supposedly well eduacated english speaking alevel crowds being angry at a woman being given such a prestigious position.i am glad the govt. has had the courage to take this step,otherwise our society's firm belief is that a woman should be kept locked up at home,behind the 'chaar diwari' to serve only as a baby producing factory and for serving her 'majazi khuda' at all times.
Hinaji, India is not a millitary state and never attacked any country. So please improve your foriegn policy.
Assalam-o-Allaikum Warahmatullah. When on the end of every peace talk meeting these statements are given by the both countries' leaders especially from Indian leaders that 1-Kashmir is the integral part of India and first resolve terrorism-related issues, 2-Both countries' leaders emphasized to continue peace talks in the future, 3-Pakistan stop interference in Disputed Kashmir by ISI and Mujahideen and 4-Convert LOC into permanent border. If these statements are to be given then why time and money are wasted on the non-result oriented fashion shows and photo sessions of Pakistan-India leaders?