New Delhi
4 October 2005
India and Pakistan have reiterated to explore all
possible options for the settlement of Jammu and Kashmir issue and
agreed to arrive at a common understanding on Siachen before January.
The two countries also revived the Joint Commission after a gap of 16
years and hoped that it would contribute significantly in enhancing
economic ties. It was agreed that expert level meeting would be held by
the year-end to finalise modalities for the meeting points of the divided
families across the LoC.
In a joint statement, which was issued on Tuesday after the two-day talks
between External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh and his Pakistani
counterpart Khurshid M Kasuri, India and Pakistan agreed to undertake a
joint survey of Sir Creek and reiterated their commitment to the Iran-
Pakistan-India gas pipeline.
They reaffirmed their determination to carry forward the peace process
and not let terrorism impede it. Both countries agreed to hold an expert-
level meeting in Islamabad on October 25-26 to start the Nankana Sahib-
Amritsar bus service at an early date.
At the joint press conference with Mr Singh, Mr Kasuri minister said
"concrete ideas" on Siachen have been exchanged and the two sides will
continue discussions for reaching a common understanding. About media
speculation of a possible breakthough on Siachen, Mr Kasuri said, "It
stands to reason that if we have already reached an agreement, we would
have reflected that in the joint statement. It would be counter productive if
I were to go into the details. Suffice to say that there was a reasonable
degree of understanding of each other's point of view."
Both sides agreed to hold technical-level talks before the end of this year
for operationalising the Rawalakot-Poonch bus service and for starting
truck service on Muzaffarabad-Srinagar route. India proposed
amendments to the existing agreements on visa and visits to religious
shrines besides handing over to Pakistan new proposals for a cultural
exchange programme. New Delhi also handed over a draft agreement on
consular access.
Mr Natwar Singh called on Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf and
Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and exchanged views with him on all
aspects of bilateral relationship before leaving for Karachi.
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