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Pakistan, India agree to peace roadmap

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamabad, Feb 18, IRNA -- Pakistan and India agreed on Wednesday to 
a roadmap for composite dialogue to discuss and arrive at peaceful 
settlement of all bilateral issues including Jammu and Kashmir to the 
satisfaction of both sides. 
In a joint press statement issued at the end of talks between the 
foreign secretaries of Pakistan and India, Riaz Khokhar and Shashank, 
they reiterated commitment of both the countries to promote progress 
towards the common objective of peace, security and economic 
development for their peoples and for future generations. 
Giving details of the schedule of meetings, the Foreign Secretary 
Riaz Khokhar told a news conference in Islamabad that the two foreign 
secretaries would meet in May or June next for talks on peace and 
security including confidence building measures (CBMs) and Jammu and 
Kashmir. 
Talks on Siachen, Wuller Barrage, Sir Creek, terrorism and drug 
trafficking, economic and commercial cooperation and promotion of 
friendly exchanges in various fields would be held in July at the 
already agreed levels. 
In addition, technical level meetings would be held earlier 
between Director General of Pakistan Rangers and Inspector General 
of Border Security Force of India in March or April. Expert-level 
talks on nuclear CBMs have been proposed in the second half of May. 
"Committee on Drug Trafficking and Smuggling would meet in June," 
he added. 
Khokhar said they reviewed the existing links between directors 
general of military operations of Pakistan and India and agreed to 
consider further strengthening these contacts. 
He said the foreign ministers of Pakistan and India would meet in 
August to review overall progress. Their meeting would be preceded by 
a one-day meeting of the foreign secretaries. 
Replying to a question about the venue and exact dates of talks, he
said these would be worked out through diplomatic channels. The Indian
foreign secretary invited his Pakistani counterpart to visit New 
Delhi. 
Regarding nuclear CBMs, Riaz Khokhar said talks about this issue 
would be held at experts-level. He said they did not go into 
substance. "The experts would submit their report to the foreign 
secretaries." 
To another question, he said the talks were held in a cordial 
atmosphere during the past three days and that they had been able to 
do some constructive work. 
He expressed the hope that the roadmap would eventually lead to 
settlement of all disputes between the two countries and to a durable 
peace in the region. 
In reply to a question, the foreign secretary said, "There is a 
realisation on both sides that war is not an option for either side 
and therefore the two countries have no choice but to explore every 
possibility for durable peace, security and resolution of all 
disputes." 
About Kashmir, he said it is a very fundamental issue between 
Pakistan and India and when they would meet in May or June, they will 
certainly address all aspects of the dispute. 
TK/TSH/212 
End