Pakistan rejected Thursday renewed Indian charges that
Pakistani "state actors" were involved in planning and coordinating the
2008 Mumbai attacks and offered a joint probe.
"I would very strongly reject any insinuation of any involvement of any state agency in acts of terrorism in India," Pakistani Foreign Secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani told reporters after talks with his Indian counterpart Ranjan Mathai.
The two top civil servants in their respective ministries held two days of talks in New Delhi to bolster a peace dialogue. The two sides also discussed way to promote relations in the fields of sports particularly cricket. Jalil Abbas Jilani said he has brought a message of peace and prosperity to the people of India. He said Pakistani leadership is sincere in resolving all disputes with India peacefully.
Speaking after his talks with Jilani, which focused on ways of reducing mutual distrust between the nuclear-armed South Asian rivals, Mathai stressed that bringing those guilty for the Mumbai carnage to justice "would be the biggest confidence-building measure of all". He said India has handed over information to Pakistan side about Abu Jandal. He said the two sides discussed ways to strengthen peace and stability in the region. The Indian Foreign Secretary said he also agreed to continue talks on resolving Kashmir issue. In Thursday's joint-statement, the diplomats said that a meeting between the foreign ministers of India and Pakistan was now scheduled for September.
Text of the joint statement
"I would very strongly reject any insinuation of any involvement of any state agency in acts of terrorism in India," Pakistani Foreign Secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani told reporters after talks with his Indian counterpart Ranjan Mathai.
The two top civil servants in their respective ministries held two days of talks in New Delhi to bolster a peace dialogue. The two sides also discussed way to promote relations in the fields of sports particularly cricket. Jalil Abbas Jilani said he has brought a message of peace and prosperity to the people of India. He said Pakistani leadership is sincere in resolving all disputes with India peacefully.
Speaking after his talks with Jilani, which focused on ways of reducing mutual distrust between the nuclear-armed South Asian rivals, Mathai stressed that bringing those guilty for the Mumbai carnage to justice "would be the biggest confidence-building measure of all". He said India has handed over information to Pakistan side about Abu Jandal. He said the two sides discussed ways to strengthen peace and stability in the region. The Indian Foreign Secretary said he also agreed to continue talks on resolving Kashmir issue. In Thursday's joint-statement, the diplomats said that a meeting between the foreign ministers of India and Pakistan was now scheduled for September.
Text of the joint statement
During
the second-round of the resumed dialogue process, the Foreign
Secretaries of India and Pakistan met in New Delhi on July 4-5, 2012 for
bilateral talks on Peace and Security including CBMs, Jammu &
Kashmir and Promotion of Friendly Exchanges.
The talks were held
in a frank and constructive atmosphere. Both sides reiterated their
desire to carry forward the dialogue process in a purposeful and
result-oriented manner.
The issue of Peace and Security, including
CBMs, was discussed in a comprehensive manner. Both sides emphasized
the need to promote greater trust and mutual understanding through
constructive dialogue.
The Foreign Secretaries reviewed the
ongoing implementation of the already adopted Nuclear and Conventional
CBMs. It was decided that separate meetings of the Expert Level Groups
on Nuclear and Conventional CBMs will be held to discuss implementation
and strengthening of the existing CBMs and suggest additional mutually
acceptable steps that could build greater trust and confidence between
the two countries, thereby contributing to peace and security. The dates
for the meetings of Expert Level Groups will be determined through
diplomatic channels.
The Foreign Secretaries noted that both
countries recognize that terrorism poses a continuing threat to peace
and security. They reaffirmed the strong commitment of the two countries
to fight and eliminate terrorism in an effective and comprehensive
manner so as to eliminate the scourge in all its forms and
manifestations.
The Foreign Secretaries had a comprehensive
exchange of views on the issue of Jammu & 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.
Both sides recognized the need to
strengthen the existing Cross-LoC CBMs for streamlining the arrangements
to facilitate travel and trade across LOC. They decided to convene a
meeting of the Working Group on Cross-LoC CBMs on July 19, 2012 in
Islamabad to recommend steps for strengthening and streamlining and
effectively implementing the existing trade and travel arrangements and
propose modalities for introducing additional cross LoC CBMs.
Both
sides underlined the importance of greater people to people contacts
and friendly exchanges in building a relationship of trust and
friendship between the two countries. They noted that the text of a
revised bilateral Visa Agreement has already been finalized and decided
to work for its early signing. They emphasized the importance of greater
parliamentary exchanges; promotion of cooperation in various fields
including facilitating visits to Religious Shrines and cessation of
hostile propaganda against each other.
The Foreign Secretaries also emphasized the need to promote media and sports contacts.
During
his visit the Foreign Secretary of Pakistan will be calling on Minister
of External Affairs of India, H.E. Mr. S.M. Krishna and National
Security Adviser HE Mr. Shivshankar Menon.
The Foreign Secretaries
will meet again in Islamabad, on a date to be decided through
diplomatic channels, to prepare for the meeting of the External
Affairs/Foreign Ministers in September 2012.
