Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. PHOTO: AFP /FILE
Pakistan has handed over a new set of proposals to India with the aim of improving the two countries’ ties with each other and gradually addressing all longstanding disputes between them, The Express Tribune has learnt.
According to sources, the proposals were handed over by Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi on Thursday.
Fatemi, who was part of a delegation led by Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, delivered a letter on behalf of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif inviting India’s Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Pakistan.
Sources said the letter also included a road map for reviving the stalled peace process between Pakistan and India. Under the roadmap, Pakistan has proposed arranging a meeting between the two countries’ national security advisers to iron out differences over the resumption of composite dialogue, they added.
In his letter, Prime Minister Nawaz said his government was willing to go ‘the extra mile’ to improve ties with New Delhi.
India, however, has so far shown little interest in resuming the third round of composite dialogue due to a trust-deficit following recent tensions along the Line of Control (LoC). The next round of the peace process was originally scheduled to take place earlier this year.
Nawaz also suggested resolving issues such as Sir Creek and Siachen through backdoor diplomacy, sources added.
A senior foreign ministry official said these issues could be resolved if both sides show the political will to do so. Speaking on condition of anonymity, he said that resolution of Sir Creek and Siachen issues could pave the way for addressing the longstanding Kashmir problem.
It is unclear whether the Indian government will accept such a proposal given the upcoming parliamentary elections in the country.
It was believed that the US had been pushing the two countries over the past few months to defuse tensions. The Obama administration reportedly does not want any ‘distraction’ ahead of the crucial drawdown of its forces from Afghanistan.
According to sources, Pakistan and India agreed to abide by the 2003 ceasefire agreement along the LoC due to US diplomacy.
The two countries’ directors general military operations have spoken to each other twice and “by and large, the ceasefire has been respected since,” a foreign ministry official said.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 14th, 2013.
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Be carefull , ... Second Kargil is in making .
We all know that NS and large sections of the Pakistani public want peace but what is yet to be ascertained is if all the right wing factions (JI, TTP, likes of Zaid Hamid and co) and most importantly the all encompassing and powerful army want to normalize relations with India. Until you get the army and all other non-state actors on board, I foresee a continuation to the hostilities, border flare ups and other untoward incidents occurring from time to time. As they say, 'more things change, more they remain the same' and this statement is most apt when it comes to India-Pakistan relations.
As a middle class Indian, I do wish for normal ties (more economic/trade than people to people) but one can only hope that this time, maybe this time, things might be different.
India, please be aware. If history is any indicator India should be prepared for aggression and hostilities similar to what happened after the Lahore bus summit diplomacy failed and led to Kargil war. One can only hope history doesn't repeat itself.
he is clearly scared of the prospect of dealing with next Pm of india...so he is trying to set up his begging bowl before India before the election results are out
Indians don't want to talk with any neighboring country. They are incapable of compromise. They only know how to make demands. They even made demands against China and Pakistan before losing territory to them in the '60s. These fools lack common sense.
Few days ago, as per a Pakistani newspaper, NS was predicting of a war between India and Pakistan on Kashmir. Today he is forwarding proposals for peace. Which one to believe and how long to believe it?
Be careful India, he is again coming for friendship. Increase border security immediately. Remember Kargil? All other probs on LoC this year...... get ready for something to hit on your back.
@Niki: Are u sure your establishment is on board?
Good initiative by the democratic regime.The establishment is also on board.So seeing normal relation between the two old rival states,not nations becuase nations do not have any problems,they are seeking jus peace nothing else.