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India, Pak to discuss outstanding issues over next few months

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

New Delhi, Feb 8, IRNA -- India and Pakistan will have a series of interactions to discuss outstanding issues like Jammu and Kashmir, terrorism and Siachen over the next few months before Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi visits New Delhi in the middle of this year.

Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao, who held the path-breaking talks with her Pakistani counterpart Salman Bashir here on Sunday, said the two countries were in the process of bridging the 'trust deficit' and appealed that the process of re-engagement should not be 'killed' by anybody through any statement or action. 'Let it breathe,' she said.

'For the next few months, things are not going to remain dormant. There will be activity... There will be a lot of activity, lot of interaction that had in a sense been put in abeyance for many months now. The intention from both sides is to resume that process,' Rao told reporters here on the margins of a SAARC conference, pti reported.

She identified the issues that would be discussed between departments concerned on both sides as Jammu and Kashmir, Peace and Security, terrorism, narcotics trafficking, Sir Creek, Siachen, trade, promotion of people-to-people contacts and cross-LoC trade.

'There are issues to be discussed and when you say all outstanding issues are to be discussed, obviously, you have to discuss all outstanding issues and who discusses these issues -- a number of stake-holders, a number of government departments. It will be a comprehensive exercise,' she said.

Rao said the various identified issues would be discussed over the next few months in a sequence which she refused to specify.

'It is a ladder, we have to climb. There will be a sequence. Obviously, it will have to be a sequence. The things which need to be done quickly, will be done first. The things which need more preparation will be done a little later. But we hope to have all this well in place before the visit of Foreign Minister Qureshi (to Delhi),' she said.

Before Qureshi's visit expected in the middle of the year, she said, the two sides will have to build the 'right atmosphere' and 'more confidence.'

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Islamic Republic News Agency/IRNA NewsCode: 30232194