LAHORE: Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar reiterated her stance on having an uninterrupted and uninterruptible talks with India over all outstanding issues and that it was vital to ‘clear the air’ between the two nations, normalizing ties, on Thursday.
Addressing a press conference following her arrival at Lahore Airport, Khar said that she could safely say that the delegation saw a reciprocity on part of the Indian foreign ministry and the Indian government to normalize and improve relations with Pakistan and to take them to a different level, that of a good, friendly and neighborly relations. She added that the a medium term objective of at least, is to make this process (talks) uninterrupted and uninterruptible. She placated fears of another say-all-do-nothing round of talks, saying a lot of groundwork is needed to bring talks back on track.
FM Khar reiterated that the talks were open and honest with dialogue on practically every ‘prickly’ issue, whether at operation or strategic level, that exist between the two countries which was encouraging for a bilateral and constructive relations between both countries.
She cited the joint statement, issued after her talks with SM Krishna, for more details and mentioned the highlights, comprising LoC trade CBMs, engagements over peace and security, visa regime, Indus water treaty and its centrality between India and Pakistan and the intention to reconvene the Pakistan-India joint commission, which to her, were signs of ties returning to normalcy.
Khar mentioned that PM Manmohan Singh greeted the delegation warmly, expressing India’s sincerity and commitment over resolving all outstanding issues, including the Jammu and Kashmir issue. She also spoke of her conveying PM Gilani’s invitation to PM Singh for visiting Pakistan, which was accepted graciously, though the details are yet to be decided.
Answering a question, she reiterated that the bilateral process needs to be uninterrupted so as not to lose the momentum gained in recent years, in mere hours, hence the need to ‘clear the air’ right now and re-engagement was important with a forward looking commitment to work out all issues.
“As of now it is important for Pakistan to normalize relations with India, since it’s a pre-requisite for us in order to resolve the issues mentioned in the question”, Khar said.
The FM said that during the talks no one back tracked from their stated positions, legal and political position.
On her meeting with Kashmiri leaders, she said that she had conveyed Pakistan’s stated position on the Kashmir issue and that Kashmir was an important stakeholder in determining the (people’s) fate.
She admitted that, as of now, the ‘stated positions’ on issues, of both the countries, were diverging but she stressed upon reforming our policy towards India and build a trust between each other, instead of considering them as an enemy state, since India wants a peaceful Pakistan as well.
Khar said that we have had differences for years and will continue having them but both countries need to give our relationship a chance since it is important for the region and for people of both nations, stressing upon a ‘people centric’ approach since without security, there can be no development.
She said that we have had continuous talks with India over the water dispute and that we should protect the sanctity of the Indus Water treaty. There are operational difficulties but the sanctity of the Indus Water treaty was vital for Pakistan.
Talking on trade with India, she said that ‘sky is the limit’ in terms of increasing the business volume since both countries have a lot of potential.
On the Indian media’s obsession with her, she dismissed it as a ‘paparazzi’ reporting by them. She said she was there for serious talks.
Earlier this week, the Pakistani Foreign Minister was in India for peace talks, where in she met her counterpart SM Krishna, including India'a top leadership.
(Read: Pakistan-India talks: Hina Rabbani Khar arrives in New Delhi)
COMMENTS (31)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
Dear Readers, just go back to the tv program of Nazam Sethi, Aapas ki baat episode that was broadcast yesterday and find out for yourself, what real facts are about Pakistan and India. What should one debate with guys, who have no information about their own country, what to talk about India then? @ AK, We dont have to talk about Baluchistan, they are doing it on their own...And so is your army. You dont bother about India or its internal conflicts, we will take care of them but how will you go for plebiscite in Kashmir when you have already gifted a part of it to your buddies in China?? Your country talks of UN resolution, but did your country ever follow it? It was mandated there that Pakistan will withdraw its forces from its part of Kashmir, did it ever do that? It was prerequisite for any plebiscite to be held there. So, why talk about it now after 60 years? Kashmiris wanted independence, does your constitution ever provide that?? No, your 1974 constitution does not provide that. So that you have more clarity on history of Pakistan, herewith I give a link of Pakistani tv program. Enjoy it: http://www.zemtv.com/2011/08/03/apas-ki-baat-2nd-august-2011/
@My Name is Khan:
u r correct
@Karachite: Yeah, the creation of terrorists as a state policy and treating them as assets has not held the sub continent hostage. It is an Internet forum user posting his views has held the entire area hostage.
You guys never cease to amaze me!
@Imran Khan...before talking about Balochistan and Kashmir, first make the following countries independent:
Khalistan, Assam/northeast India, Tamils, Hyderabad (which was never originally acceded to India),, Jamu and Kashmir, and all the areas around Bengal which Bangladesh claims as part of "greater Bangladesh." Also hand over some of the islands back to the Maldives that you occupy. Once these illegitimately occupied territories are handed back to their rightful people and owners and become independent countries (may they come into existence), then we can truly say "India ready to resolve all issues."
conflict over Kashmir has given rise to militancy and three wars and establishment of nuclear plants. better to resolve the matter, as during the previous wars both countries fight without atom bombs. Both countries need serious discussion with tendencies to resolve it through pain taking process.
Assalam-o-Allaikum Warahmatullah.Much the best statement given by H.R.K. but in this regard the this question rises that how much more she is confident and hopeful that Indian leaders shall resolve first the most burning and core Kashmir issue through peaceful talks on priority basis as soon as possible?
India has been willing to have a Kashmir settlement since 1992 since we want to focus on quality of life and economy more than territory but Pakistan has had to bring in Kargil and constant Mumbai attacks to squelch any settlement ideas.
The contours of the previous settlement agreed upon was: - No change to the Kashmir border but make it a soft border like between USA and Canada or countries in Europe where people can move back and forth. - A joint force comprised of Indians and Pakistanis, of all religions, would patrol the entire area. - Such a settlement would not just bring peace to Kashmir, but may also make the India Pakistan relationship bloom. As the border becomes peaceful, even the rest of the border would become relaxed and trade, tourism and economies of both countries would flourish.
But after the Mumbai attacks, this settlement is not feasible as we can't risk armed terrorists using such a border to attack our cities.
Dear Bro Naeem Siddiqui, I am thankful to god that there are people who think rationally and with them, future of Pakistan is safe. Have a great evening ahead.
I am quite impressed by the new FM of Pakistan, who seemed in total contrast to the arrogant, nosy creature called Quereshi. Good to see where he finally reached, he deserved that. The new FM seems pragmatic in her approach and I believe she has backing of her govt in her approach and style. I was watching Imtiaz Gul on the other day on "lekin" of Pakistan and he sounded the same view saying, in light of where India stands today, Kashmir resolution in line with earlier Pakistani stand is impossible now, also that Pakistan better grab of trade opportunities to better its own people and support its sinking economy. I dont think any other approach can work. The UN resolution is nonsense now in light of Pakistan not having followed it in terms of troops withdrawal from Kashmiri part held by it in time for plebiscite. In the meantime, entire demography of Pakistan held Kashmir has been completely changed in its favour. By the way, who will guarantee today that China will allow plebiscite in the Kashmiri part gifted to it by Pakistan and I dont know who held a plebiscite in the region to know what the people of that region wanted. And Pakistanis dont agree with current set of reality, they are free to run away from the talks, who stops them. But one thing is sure, there is scope for negotiations on everything else but just forget changing boundaries by any force now.
@Bangash: You say "Post under your real Indian name." to a person who posted as Imran Khan.
It looks like you are not open to the possibility that a Muslim may also be an Indian. Is it not possible that , just like me, Imran is Muslim and an Indian? Why do you assume that only Hindus can be Indians - there are 150 million Muslims in India you know.
@Imran Khan:
Dyslexia seems to be a common trait among majority of Indian warmongers. I have known some really fine Indians over the years and Its people like yourself who have held the entire subcontinent as a hostage.
Hina Rabban is Mustafa Khar in her style of speaking and even choice of words! May God bless her!
@Bangash
If @Imran Khan post his message under his Indian (suspected?) name, will it change the import of his message.Content is more important than form.
I have never heard a voice from Pakistan wanting an independent Kashmir comprising both Indian and Pakistan held Kashmir.
It is great to have a young and energetic Foreign Minister and that also a female. My only worry is that this sudden change of policy by India towards Pakistan sounds too good to be true. In spite of the fact that the feeling of optimism is healthy but let us not forget that India needs a seat in the Security Council, we must be cautious.
@Fahad Raza: "I hope that now since India has agreed to resolve all issues, we will see the peaceful handover of Indian Occupied Kashmir and the unchallenged Independence of Assam and to the peaceful people of Nexel ."
When the PM or FM of India visits Pakistan, I suggest they also have the creation of a Mohajir Province in Pakistan on their list of thinks to talk about. Many Indian Muslims, mostly from UP and Bihar are absolutely livid with anger after Mr. Zulfikar Mirza called Mohajirs Bhooka, Nanga. They are very agonized over the daily killings in Karachi. If the killings are not halted, they plan to approach the UN and lodge a complaint about the lack of the GoP's writ in Karachi - a situation which leads to grave human rights violations. And yes, Mohajir Province has to be totally autonomous.
Pakistan is trying to be at par with India. This is impossible. Pakistan is a financially, economically, educationally, morally and politically bankrupt. India with all its issues is a maturing democracy and is growing fast. Behave accordingly and tackle the problems of jihad, random killing, islamization and the burden of over zealous military and intelligence as also playing the US against China.
@Imran Khan: I hope that now since India has agreed to resolve all issues, we will see the peaceful handover of Indian Occupied Kashmir and the unchallenged Independence of Assam and to the peaceful people of Nexel . Nothing less can bring peace to this region. India should overcome its inferiority complex and come out of their small little hearts and resolve the issues which they are sitting on for more than half a century.
@Imran Khan
Post under your real Indian name.
@ Ali - friend and fellow countrymen, typical Pakistani arguments like yours make the rest of us look bad. Please read the UN Resolutions carefully. Our textbooks thanks to General Zia have taught us mostly lies about what is and what isn't.
The UN Resolution requires a plebescite of all parts of what was formerly Jammu and Kashmir. That means Gilgit-Baltistan, AJK, Indian Kashmir (which includes Jammu and Ladakh, and the part China has too.
If we Pakistanis want to keep pushing for this, we should be prepared to lose G-B and AJK because most Kashmiris just want independence. I'm so tired of the Kashmiri cause as a Pakistani - those people have wasted billions of dollars we could have invested in Pakistan's infrastructure and education system. Both India and Pakistan should just give up on these people. Let them be free. That's what they want and we'll all save money.
Once the Kashmir issue is resolved, what will the government use as an excuse to keep us all together? What defines us as Pakistanis? Most of us think of ourselves as Muslims before Pakistanis. Then we are Punjabis, or Mohajirs, or Sindhis, or Pasthuns. "Pakistani" comes quite late in our order of identities.
I don't see our government having any real interest in resolving the Kashmir issue or the Balochistan issue because the definition for what is Pakistan will cease to exist. It's not like we Pashtuns really believe in the Durand Line to begin with.
Let us be realistic 64 years are gone and Kashmir issue is still out of 1st square All our leaders say that Kashmiris should decide what they want or Kassmir is jugular vein of Pakistan What they never tell us that if Kashmiris decide for independence what will happen to the vein.@Ali: "We need a de gaulle or Mao to resolve our problems. " Could you kindly elaborate on what problems De Gaulle or Mao resolved? Many would say that both were pointy-headed and far from solving problems, both set back their countries! Both were ingrates to their benefactors. So, your admiration for them is not surprising! As far as the rest, UN resolutions do not call for the freedom of Kashmir. Whatever they call for is almost impossible to do due to the passage of time and the changes Pakistan specifically engineered to "fortify" its position in that part of Kashmir which it is in occupation of. As someone remarked elsewhere, that train had left the station even earlier than 1989 when Pakistan started to infiltrate armed militants into Kashmir. If Pakistan is sincere in its wish to solve the problems between us, it has to abandon its obsession with Kashmir and be open-minded about the rest.
Agreement to resolve issues does not mean that they will all be resolved based on Pakistan's directives. There will have to be give and take by both countries.
This situation had been reached with Musharraf also. In fact the actual contours of the resolution had been arrived at. Since India has had the same government but Pakistan has had a change in government, it would be fair to assume that Pakistan had second thoughts about the parameters of the resolution agreed by Musharraf.
As such an agreement to discuss and resolve all issues has always been there on Indian side. Prior to 1999 however Kargill was unwilling to discuss any other issue until such time as there was Kashmir plebiscite. People should note that plebiscite may or may not be the final resolution that the 2 countries agree to. It was certainly NOT part of the agreement that Musharraf had tentatively reached with India.
The graceful Pak FM has done a tidy job at New Delhi and India had also gone a mile to accomodate Pakistan on all issues including Kashmir. However, Pakistan also needs to follow-up sincerely otherwise all good work done by her delegation will go waste. Both countries need to grab this opportunity to improve bi-lateral relations and not get stuck on contentious issues which may take much more time for its solution.
Hina Khar, we as Pakistanis, are proud of the way you conducted yourself,and the good will you created in India for this country.Your predecessor was in search of personnel glory and is looking for a party which can enable him to come back into power,which is most unlikely.
I hope that now since Pakistan has agreed to resolve all issues, we will see the peaceful handover of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir and the unchallenged Independence of Balochistan.
Nothing less can bring peace to this region.
Pakistan should overcome its inferiority complex and come out of their small little hearts and resolve the issues which they are sitting on for more than half a century.
Brave she is the perfect foreign minister! Sensible, intelligent, calm and beautiful. Not like previous snobbish Quraishi!