MULTAN, Feb 8th:Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said that India-Pakistan talk at secretaries level is expected on Feb 18 or 25 and we have a clear roadmap for talks with India, in which more tangible issues like the water dispute will take precedence over traditional faultlines like Kashmir.Talking to this correspondent here on Monday, Foreign Minister Qureshi said that there were huge constituencies for peace in both nations.
“Yes, you have to understand that India-Pakistan relations have a history we can’t ignore, and we’ve some outstanding issues,” said Qureshi while responding to a question about Chief of Army Staff Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani’s statement that Pakistan’s strategic policies will remain India-centric as long as Kashmir and water disputes are not resolved and whether the political leadership shares the view.
“The two countries recognise them and have been in negotiations through composite dialogue. These outstanding issues have been recognised internationally,” he said.
When asked about chances of J&K dispute’s resolution, he said that it was difficult to give a timeframe in this regard.
“We’ve made progress on Kashmir related CBMs. We should look at the positive developments so far made and review them. We should look at more CBMs to create a conducive environment in consultation with the Kashmiris,” he said, adding that Kashmiris were the main party in the issue and their aspirations could not be overlooked.
The Minister further said the Kashmir issue had been recognised internationally and was on the UN agenda. Similarly, the water dispute with India had been recognised internationally and the World Bank had played a role in the Indus Water Treaty in 1960, he added.
To another question that both countries held talks in the past, but the process was halted due to the Kargil and Mumbai-like incidents and what would happen if another 26/11-like incident occurred, the Minister said, “As discussed between the two PMs in Sharm-el-Sheikh, we should de-link negotiations from such acts. There are such acts taking place in Pakistan, and we’re victims of terrorism,” he said.
“At times, foreign nationals are involved in these acts in Pakistan. Does it mean that we should cut ties with those countries? So, rather than becoming hostage to the deeds of miscreants we should engage at proper forums to find a solution for them,” he stated.
When asked about Pakistan’s response to India’s talks offer, Qureshi said that both countries had agreed to a format of discussion - the composite dialogue. “We had four rounds of composite dialogues. When I took over as the Foreign Minister, I reviewed the fourth round and then we also initiated the fifth round,” he added.He further said that Pakistan felt that this region had serious challenges, adding, “the challenges of hunger, poverty, disease, backwardness are the regional challenges that we face. Look at the people living below poverty line in India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan and even in the (other) Saarc countries.”
These challenges could only be dealt collectively, he said, adding “once we normalise our relations and refocus on our priorities, then we will be able to address these challenges.”
After the Mumbai attacks, the Minister said India’s decision to suspend dialogue was knee-jerk and the internal politics did not help.
“The (Indian) Opposition, for the sake of political point scoring, forgot the larger picture, and they tried to put the government on the defensive,” he stated.
Terming the Mumbai attacks as tragic, he urged more cooperation, exchange of views and intelligence sharing between the two neighbours to overcome terrorism.
When asked about India’s assertion that Pakistan has not punished 26/11 perpetrators, Qureshi replied, “We’ve apprehended seven accused and it shows our seriousness. Third party and dossier exchange might not be as productive as when you sit face-to-face and chart the way forward,” he added.
He stated that he thought that the proposed high-level engagement between Islamabad and New Delhi would provide a better opportunity to both sides, adding “If their concerns are about Hafiz (Mohammad) Saeed and Mumbai attacks, let us put it on the table. If we’ve concerns about Balochistan, let us put it on the table.”
When his attention was drawn towards his assertion that Islamabad has substantial evidence to prove India’s involvement in terror activities in Pakistan and whether it is in the agenda for proposed negotiations, Qureshi said, “When we discuss terrorism, all linked issues have to be put on the agenda. They have the right to highlight their concerns and we’ve the right to highlight our concerns,” he added.
“I think, better sense prevailed. If they have done it, it’s a positive and constructive move,” said FM Qureshi, responding to a query whether he thought that India agreed for the dialogue under international pressure?
