Islamabad:
The Indo-Pak talks that concluded in Islamabad today were described by the Foreign Secretaries of both countries as "frank and cordial". The two-day talks prepared the ground for a meeting between the Foreign Ministers in Delhi in late July.
Sources in the Indian government say that Pakistan was asked for answers about the relationship between its spy service, the ISI and the Lashkar-e-Taiba which attacked Mumbai in 2008, killing 166 people. David Coleman Headley, the Pakistani-American Lashkar-e-Taiba operative, under arrest in America, has revealed close ties between the terror group and the ISI.
The two-day talks ended with a change in plans - Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao and her Pakistani counterpart Salman Bashir were scheduled to hold separate press conferences but decided at the last minute to meet reporters together. Mr Bashir said that today's talks - devoted largely to Kashmir - would continue. Ms Rao underscored, "We must do away with the shadow of gun and extremist violence because it is only in an atmosphere free of terror and violence that we can discuss resolution of such a complex issue." (
Read: Indo-Pak talks - Transcript of joint press briefing)
India's concern about cross-border terrorism was expressed in several pointed comments. "Ideology of military conflict should not have any place in the paradigm of our relationship in 21st century," Ms Rao said.
Ms Rao also said that India wants "a satisfactory closure" to the Pakistani trial of some of the men arrested for planning 26/11. This, she said, is necessary for the "normalisation of relations".
Mr Bashir said that while he understood India's concerns, "this issue of terrorism requires objectivity and we hope and expect it to be addressed in a collaborative manner."
A joint Statement said the Foreign Secretaries exchanged views on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir and agreed to continue discussions in a "purposeful and forward-looking manner with the view to finding a peaceful solution by narrowing divergences and building convergences".
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Read: Joint statement on meeting of Indo-Pak foreign secretaries)
Indian government sources have told NDTV the working group on cross-LOC confidence building measures (CBMs) is expected to meet in July, where the two sides are likely to discuss ways and means of liberalising visas. India and Pakistan are also likely to work on an agreement to prevent incidents at sea. Sources say a draft for this is already in place. This comes days after the 'brush' between INS Godavari and PNS Babur - two ships involved in rescuing MV Suez. An expert group with representatives of both countries is also expected to discuss how nuclear safety standards can be stregthened further.
In February, the two countries decided to resume talks on all bilateral issues, reviving the dialogue process that was paralyzed by the Mumbai terror attack.
The Foreign Secretary talks are the first high-level engagement between the two countries since Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh hosted his counterpart Yousuf Raza Gilani at the cricket World Cup semi-final in Mohali on March 30.