India offers secretary-level talks with Pakistan

[Cheetah786]

NEW DELHI: India has offered to hold foreign-secretary level talks with Pakistan, two Indian television stations said on Thursday, resuming a bilateral dialogue suspended after the 2008 Mumbai attacks.

New Delhi blames the attacks, which killed 166 people, on Pakistan-based militants and wants Islamabad to act against them.

The TV stations, quoting unnamed official sources, said the talks would be held at foreign-secretary level. They did not say when the meetings might to be held.

Pakistan welcomed the offer.

“There are now signals emanating from India that they are willing to talk bilaterally,” Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi told Reuters.

“We welcome this...if it leads to resumption of the composite dialogue.”

The foreign ministry also confirmed Thursday that India had proposed foreign secretary-level talks with Islamabad but said it was seeking clarification of the content of the talks.

“They have proposed foreign secretary level talks and we have sought clarification on the contents of the proposed talks. We are awaiting response from India,” foreign ministry spokesman Abdul Basit told AFP.

Pakistan has been pushing for the resumption of five-year-long peace talks on a range of issues, including the disputed Kashmir region, broken off by India after the attacks.

The NDTV station quoted government sources saying that India would go into the talks with “an open mind” and discuss “all issues on the table without judging the outcome of the discussions”.

The offer to resume talks comes ahead of a visit to Pakistan by India's minister of internal security for a regional meeting this month.

Palaniappan Chidambaram's Feb. 26-27 trip is the first high-level visit since the attacks.

Indian foreign ministry officials said Chidambaram would meet his Pakistani counterpart, Rehman Malik, and other officials for talks that may have a narrow focus on what action Islamabad has taken in regard to the Mumbai attacks.

“Any dialogue now will focus on what progress Pakistan has made in dismantling the terrorist network on its soil that was used to attack Mumbai,” a senior government official said on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue.

“It could be a beginning that could help move things forward.”
DAWN.COM | World | India offers secretary-level talks with Pakistan

 

[gowthamraj]

NEW DELHI: India has offered to hold foreign-secretary level talks with Pakistan, two Indian television stations said on Thursday, resuming a bilateral dialogue suspended after the 2008 Mumbai attacks.

New Delhi blames the attacks, which killed 166 people, on Pakistan-based militants and wants Islamabad to act against them.

The TV stations, quoting unnamed official sources, said the talks would be held at foreign-secretary level. They did not say when the meetings might to be held.

Pakistan welcomed the offer.

“There are now signals emanating from India that they are willing to talk bilaterally,” Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi told Reuters.

“We welcome this...if it leads to resumption of the composite dialogue.”

The foreign ministry also confirmed Thursday that India had proposed foreign secretary-level talks with Islamabad but said it was seeking clarification of the content of the talks.

“They have proposed foreign secretary level talks and we have sought clarification on the contents of the proposed talks. We are awaiting response from India,” foreign ministry spokesman Abdul Basit told AFP.

Pakistan has been pushing for the resumption of five-year-long peace talks on a range of issues, including the disputed Kashmir region, broken off by India after the attacks.

The NDTV station quoted government sources saying that India would go into the talks with “an open mind” and discuss “all issues on the table without judging the outcome of the discussions”.

The offer to resume talks comes ahead of a visit to Pakistan by India's minister of internal security for a regional meeting this month.

Palaniappan Chidambaram's Feb. 26-27 trip is the first high-level visit since the attacks.

Indian foreign ministry officials said Chidambaram would meet his Pakistani counterpart, Rehman Malik, and other officials for talks that may have a narrow focus on what action Islamabad has taken in regard to the Mumbai attacks.

“Any dialogue now will focus on what progress Pakistan has made in dismantling the terrorist network on its soil that was used to attack Mumbai,” a senior government official said on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue.

“It could be a beginning that could help move things forward.”
DAWN.COM | World | India offers secretary-level talks with Pakistan

lets see what going to happen this time

 

[hembo]

Thaw? India proposes foreign secretary-level talks with Pakistan
Thu, Feb 4 06:00 PM

New Delhi, Feb 4 (IANS) Signalling a thaw in bilateral ties, India has sent a formal proposal to Pakistan for talks between the foreign secretaries of the two countries and stressed that it will carry on these discussions with 'an open and positive mind'.

New Delhi has made it clear that the talks will focus primarily on counter-terrorism, but has indicated 'that other issues that will contribute to creating an atmosphere of peace and stability between the two countries will also be raised,' well-placed sources said.

'Dates are being discussed for the meeting between the foreign secretaries,' the sources said. The response from Islamabad is awaited.

This will be the first meeting between Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao and her Pakistani counterpart Salman Bashir since they met in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in September last year.

The Indian side has stressed that it will hold 'discussions with an open and positive mind,' and will not like to prejudge their outcome.

All relevant issues will be discussed, including counter-terrorism, the sources added.

The foreign secretaries are likely to meet after Home Minister P. Chidambaram's expected visit to Islamabad to attend the Feb 26-28 meeting of home/interior ministers of the eight-nation South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).

This will be the first visit by an Indian minister to Pakistan since 26/11 attacks that suspended the bilateral dialogue and brought ties to an all-time low.

The two sides had decided on limited foreign secretary-level interaction after talks in Sharm el-Sheikh last July to assess actions taken by Pakistan to punish terrorists linked to the Mumbai carnage and in addressing India's concerns on cross-border terror.

A positive assessment by India after the talks between foreign secretaries could set the stage for the meeting between the foreign ministers and prime ministers of the two countries on the sidelines of the SAARC summit in Thimphu April 28-29.

Chidambaram's expected visit to Islamabad, along with the meeting between the foreign secretaries, are seen in Pakistan as clear signals by India to resume the composite dialogue.

India has, however, struck a cautious note and indicated that the resumption of dialogue will depend on Pakistan's concrete actions against the masterminds and perpetrators of the 26/11 carnage.

External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna Wednesday had indicated India's willingness to resume dialogue with Pakistan, saying even a few steps by Islamabad in the Mumbai terror probe will 'satisfy' it and will make it easier 'to carry on normal business' with the neighbouring country.

India decided to rethink its stance on re-engaging Pakistan after reports of Pakistan's recent actions in the Mumbai terror probe.

Pakistan recently indicated its willingness to accept Indian dossiers, including the confessional statement of Ajmal Kasab, the lone Pakistani terrorist caught alive during the 26/11 attack, as evidence to prosecute the planners of the carnage. Islamabad also accepted evidence relating to boats used to ferry the attackers from Karachi.

Indo Asian News Service

 

[PlanetWarrior]

India : Lets talk about terrorism
Pakistan: Lets talk about Kashmir
India : Lets talk about terrorism first
Pakistan: No no lets talk about water issues first
India : Agenda was terrorism and we can amend agenda in due course
Pakistan: No . Lets talk about you supporting insurgents in our country first
India; Ok, that will fall under terrorism
Pakistan: No . We want Kashmir placed first on the agenda
India: Okay lets talk about you permitting Kasmiri militants to use your territory and that may allow us to proceed without amending the agenda.
Pakistan: No no. We did say we want to talk about the water issues first

- Time is up and meeting is adjourned indefinately -

 

[hembo]

^^^^^

Mannn!!! You're a pessimistic dude!! lol.. it was pretty funny though.

 

[hembo]

Pakistan welcomes Chidambaram's visit
Thu, Feb 4 06:55 PM

Islamabad, Feb 4 (IANS) Pakistan Thursday welcomed Indian Home Minister P. Chidambaram's visit here this month saying it would give the two countries an opportunity to review 'security threats to the region'.

'It will be a good opportunity to review the present security threats to the region,' Online news agency quoted Interior Minister Rehman Malik as saying.

'Pakistan attaches great importance to regional security and is prepared to cooperate and offer any assistance to secure regional peace,' he added.

Malik said he was looking forward to receiving Chidambaram and hoped that the meeting of the home/interior ministers of the eight-nation South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) will usher in a new era of constructive engagements.

India Wednesday indicated its willingness to resume dialogue with Pakistan, saying even 'a few steps' by Islamabad vis-a-vis the Mumbai terror probe will satisfy it and make it easier 'to carry on normal business' with its neighbour.

Confirming Chidambaram's visit to Islamabad, Indian External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna said: 'We are trying to focus their attention also on terrorism.'

'Chidambaram will get a chance to have very useful exchanges with his counterparts and other leaders in Pakistan,' Krishna told reporters accompanying him on a two-day visit to Kuwait.

'Any step forward in the direction of Pakistan also investigating the Mumbai attacks will certainly make it easier for India to carry out normalisation of business with Pakistan,' Krishna said while taking note of Islamabad's recent actions in the Mumbai terror probe.

'India should be quite satisfied with Pakistan taking a few steps to investigate the Mumbai attacks,' he replied when asked whether India would think of re-starting composite dialogue.

Krishna attributed the softening of his country's position on normalisation of ties to 'constructive signals' from the prosecution in Pakistan of the alleged masterminds of the Mumbai terror strikes that killed 166 Indians and foreigners.

Indo Asian News Service

 

[mjnaushad]

India : Lets talk about terrorism
Pakistan: Lets talk about Kashmir
India : Lets talk about terrorism first
Pakistan: No no lets talk about water issues first
India : Agenda was terrorism and we can amend agenda in due course
Pakistan: No . Lets talk about you supporting insurgents in our country first
India; Ok, that will fall under terrorism
Pakistan: No . We want Kashmir placed first on the agenda
India: Okay lets talk about you permitting Kasmiri militants to use your territory and that may allow us to proceed without amending the agenda.
Pakistan: No no. We did say we want to talk about the water issues first

- Time is up and meeting is adjourned indefinately -

If we resolve kashmir issue there will be no terrorism anymore....

 

[Solomon2]

If we resolve kashmir issue there will be no terrorism anymore....

I doubt it. What does the resolution of the Kashmir issue offer to terrorists, beyond unemployment? Without a change in ideology to reject terror as a tool AND ex-terrorist re-training and monitoring, the terrorists may simply choose (or invent) a new cause to fight for.

That is, after all, what bin Laden and his followers did after the Soviets departed Afghanistan. There are many other examples in many other cultures of the same sort of phenomenon.

 

[H2O3C4Nitrogen]

I doubt it. What does the resolution of the Kashmir issue offer to terrorists, beyond unemployment? Without a change in ideology to reject terror as a tool AND ex-terrorist re-training and monitoring, the terrorists may simply choose (or invent) a new cause to fight for.

That is, after all, what bin Laden and his followers did after the Soviets departed Afghanistan. There are many other examples in many other cultures of the same sort of phenomenon.

Actually the terrorist Ideaology which is followed by those irhabists in afghanistan and Pakistan cannnot be enforced on to the frredom fighters of Kashmir . Their struggle is predominantly suurounded across the achievement of freedom from India rather enforcing a Sharai law like the TTP did . The people fighting in Kashmir are actually fighting for their freedom and thus cannot be in any way , labeled as terrorists which are comonly visualized these days adherring to the enforcement and following of wrong and distorted Islamic teachings .
If their freedom is restored , theyl put down their arms rather than running loose like phsyco islamo fighters fighting for the glory of Islam ...

 

[Imran Khan]

as a commen pakistani i can say talk is best way lets talk.we both can't achive any goal with guns.so welcome we have no problim lets talk.

 

[foxbat]

If we resolve kashmir issue there will be no terrorism anymore....

See the problem is that for Pakistan, resolution of Kashmir means India backing out of Kashmir. Thats not going to happen. Not being nationalistic here but being practical. Terrorism however will get over one way or the other.. So your statement though oft repeated has little significance..

 

[foxbat]

Actually the terrorist Ideaology which is followed by those irhabists in afghanistan and Pakistan cannnot be enforced on to the frredom fighters of Kashmir . Their struggle is predominantly suurounded across the achievement of freedom from India rather enforcing a Sharai law like the TTP did . The people fighting in Kashmir are actually fighting for their freedom and thus cannot be in any way , labeled as terrorists which are comonly visualized these days adherring to the enforcement and following of wrong and distorted Islamic teachings .
If their freedom is restored , theyl put down their arms rather than running loose like phsyco islamo fighters fighting for the glory of Islam ...

either you are trying to pull wool over the eyes of the folks in this forum or someone has already done that with you.

90% of terrorists getting killed in Kashmir are either Punjabi LeT members or are from Pakistan occupied Kashmir

Now either Indian Kashmiri militants are super intelligent and Pakistani terrorists are super dumb that results in this skewed ratio despite the struggle being indeginous as per you or alternately most of these militants are actually terrorists from Pakistani areas and hence they constiture such a large percentage of militants sent to hell by the security forces..

On the definition of a terrorist.. Its not his goals but his methods that decide whether a person is a terrorist or not.

If a desire to adher to the enforcement and following of wrong and distorted Islamic teachings is the only criteria, wouldnt Zaid Hamid be also called that.. Now he is not because he does not use terror tactics to try and achieve his goals..

 

[H2O3C4Nitrogen]

On the definition of a terrorist.. Its not his goals but his methods that decide whether a person is a terrorist or not.

Lets not forget that one of the methods used , which really holds for the hardcore terrorists is the Suppression of freedom by blind use of force , hope you got it ..

 

[Solomon2]

If their freedom is restored , theyl put down their arms rather than running loose like phsyco islamo fighters fighting for the glory of Islam

Why would they do that, rather than choose to keep going? In 2000 many Lebanese thought just as you did: that once the occupation of Lebanon by Israel ended, Hezbollah would lay down their arms. Instead, Hezbollah used its military advantage to dominate Lebanon politically and openly declare that its purpose is to use the country as a launching pad to exterminate Jews.

I have read accounts of other Muslim military leaders struggling with the same question. Even the great Saladin came to the conclusion that once the Crusaders were kicked out of the Holy Land his next course of action would be to take war to the infidels in their homelands.

In short, I don't see why "Kashmir liberation" fighters wouldn't suddenly become "phsyco islamo fighters fighting for the glory of Islam" once their current cause meets with success.

 

[nwmalik]

Pakistan should have responded by welcoming the indians to SAARC but regards bilateral talks they should have said that we will consider the indian offer and respond when time comes.
play tough like the recent statements from FM Qureshi.