Composite dialogue to resume once new Pak govt settles down: Salman Khurshid
India wants new government in Islamabad to move forward on some confidence building measures, before dialogues resume.
Indian External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid says that due to some "unfortunate incidents" the process had faced a setback. PHOTO: FILE
SRINAGAR:
India on Friday said that composite dialogue with neighbour Pakistan will resume after the new government there settles down, and pending confidence building measures between the two countries are implemented, The Times of India reported.
"It is not good that we say everything right at the outset. The atmosphere is good at the moment. Let it improve further to be conducive for talks," said external affairs minister Salman Khurshid.
"Let (the new government in Pakistan) settle down and understand their job, then we can resume it. However, there are some issues on which both the government and people expect some progress, and we will get some satisfaction from it. Then things can move on smoothly from there."
The focus of the government right now is to resume sectoral dialogue which would help progress on certain issues, he said after addressing Congress workers at the PCC office.
"Our formulation at the moment is to start a sectoral dialogue. If there are any issues on which we can move forward, we will do that. There are some issues on which expecting some quick progress is not possible."
The external affairs minister stated that some confidence building measures are to be implemented by both the countries to further improve the atmosphere.
"Confidence building measures like the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status (to India) and the new visa regime that would enable more people to travel across the border had been decided earlier but have not been implemented yet. We can move forward one step at a time," Khurshid added.
The external affairs minister said that the composite dialogue with Pakistan had made good progress and was successful but due to some "unfortunate incidents" the process had faced a setback.
"Elections have taken place there under a democratic system and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, during his election campaign gave statements and hints, and reiterated them after assuming office. We seen them in positive light and we have responded accordingly," continued Khurshid.
Pakistan is considering importing electricity from India.
India on Friday said that composite dialogue with neighbour Pakistan will resume after the new government there settles down, and pending confidence building measures between the two countries are implemented, The Times of India reported.
"It is not good that we say everything right at the outset. The atmosphere is good at the moment. Let it improve further to be conducive for talks," said external affairs minister Salman Khurshid.
"Let (the new government in Pakistan) settle down and understand their job, then we can resume it. However, there are some issues on which both the government and people expect some progress, and we will get some satisfaction from it. Then things can move on smoothly from there."
The focus of the government right now is to resume sectoral dialogue which would help progress on certain issues, he said after addressing Congress workers at the PCC office.
"Our formulation at the moment is to start a sectoral dialogue. If there are any issues on which we can move forward, we will do that. There are some issues on which expecting some quick progress is not possible."
The external affairs minister stated that some confidence building measures are to be implemented by both the countries to further improve the atmosphere.
"Confidence building measures like the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status (to India) and the new visa regime that would enable more people to travel across the border had been decided earlier but have not been implemented yet. We can move forward one step at a time," Khurshid added.
The external affairs minister said that the composite dialogue with Pakistan had made good progress and was successful but due to some "unfortunate incidents" the process had faced a setback.
"Elections have taken place there under a democratic system and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, during his election campaign gave statements and hints, and reiterated them after assuming office. We seen them in positive light and we have responded accordingly," continued Khurshid.
Pakistan is considering importing electricity from India.