Thimphu (Bhutan):
The Indian and Pakistani Foreign Secretaries met after a gap of nearly six months in Thimphu on Sunday to find ways to resume talks that broke down badly last July.
The Indian side termed the meeting, that lasted for an hour and a half, as useful and frank discussions. Both the sides agreed on the need for a constructive dialogue to resolve all outstanding issues.
Government sources say there was good progress made on charting the way forward. India has pressed for a step by step approach dealing with less contentious issues first, but has said no to Pakistan's insistence on a timeline.
Now the two Foreign Secretaries will report back to their respective governments.
The delegation consisted of six officials, led by the two Foreign Secretaries, Nirupama Rao and Salman Bashir.
Even though the shadow of the Samjhauta blast and recent statements by Pakistan loomed large, both had reiterated ahead of the talks that they were meeting with an open mind.
"We are resuming our contact after interregnum of some time. We have a number of issues to be discussed. As we have always said that dialogue between India and Pakistan is necessary and a must if we are to satisfactorily resolve the outstanding issues between our two countries," Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao had said.
"We have a number of outstanding issues. So, we are going into this with an open mind and constructive attitude," she added.
"I'm looking forward to the meeting, and we are here for the preparation of engagement between the two foreign ministers...My expectations are that we should be working towards continued engagement," Bashir had said.
As India demands progress in the 26/11 case, Islamabad has sought to equate that with the Samjhauta blasts and accused India of lacking the courage to go after Hindu extremists. The Indian government shot back, calling the charges rubbish and refused to allow a link between the two attacks.
Just before leaving for Thimphu, India's Foreign Secretary told NDTV that New Delhi would share details of the Samjhauta probe once it's over.
The Indian side termed the meeting, that lasted for an hour and a half, as useful and frank discussions. Both the sides agreed on the need for a constructive dialogue to resolve all outstanding issues.
Government sources say there was good progress made on charting the way forward. India has pressed for a step by step approach dealing with less contentious issues first, but has said no to Pakistan's insistence on a timeline.
Now the two Foreign Secretaries will report back to their respective governments.
The delegation consisted of six officials, led by the two Foreign Secretaries, Nirupama Rao and Salman Bashir.
Even though the shadow of the Samjhauta blast and recent statements by Pakistan loomed large, both had reiterated ahead of the talks that they were meeting with an open mind.
"We are resuming our contact after interregnum of some time. We have a number of issues to be discussed. As we have always said that dialogue between India and Pakistan is necessary and a must if we are to satisfactorily resolve the outstanding issues between our two countries," Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao had said.
"We have a number of outstanding issues. So, we are going into this with an open mind and constructive attitude," she added.
"I'm looking forward to the meeting, and we are here for the preparation of engagement between the two foreign ministers...My expectations are that we should be working towards continued engagement," Bashir had said.
As India demands progress in the 26/11 case, Islamabad has sought to equate that with the Samjhauta blasts and accused India of lacking the courage to go after Hindu extremists. The Indian government shot back, calling the charges rubbish and refused to allow a link between the two attacks.
Just before leaving for Thimphu, India's Foreign Secretary told NDTV that New Delhi would share details of the Samjhauta probe once it's over.
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