Type: Parliament Questions and Answers

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) the outcome of the recent meeting of Foreign Ministers of India and Pakistan in New Delhi;
(b) the details of the issues discussed in the meet;
(c) the views of the Pakistani delegation regarding the trials going on in Rawalpindi Courts on the accused of 26/11 Mumbai terrorist attacks ;
(d) whether any agreements were signed on the issue of trading through LoC; and
(e) if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI E. AHAMED)
(a) to (e) The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan visited India from July 26-28, 2011 and held discussions with External Affairs Minister (EAM) in New Delhi on July 27, 2011. The Ministers reviewed the status of bilateral relations, expressed satisfaction on the holding of various Secretary level meetings and affirmed the importance of carrying forward the dialogue process with a view to resolving peacefully all outstanding issues. They agreed that terrorism poses a continuing threat to peace and security and reiterated the firm and undiluted commitment of the two countries to fight and eliminate this scourge in all its forms and manifestations and in this regard agreed on the need to strengthen cooperation on counter-terrorism to bring those responsible for terror crimes to justice. On the Mumbai terrorist attacks trial, underway in Pakistan, Foreign Minister of Pakistan requested India to have patience, trust and confidence in the process. According to her, Pakistan was not trying to abdicate responsibility and is committed to assist the process to bring the perpetrators of Mumbai attacks to justice. The Ministers decided to resume the work of the India-Pakistan Joint Commission. The Ministers agreed to convene separate expert level meetings on Nuclear and Conventional Confidence Building Measures (CBMs), in Islamabad in September 2011. As an outcome of the talks, several Cross-LoC trade and travel facilitation measures for Jammu & Kashmir were included in the Joint Statement issued after the talks. The Ministers agreed to the continuation of the dialogue process and to convene a series of Secretary level meetings on all issues, prior to the visit of EAM to Pakistan in the first half of 2012.
http://www.mea.gov.in/mystart.php?id=220118144.

Pakistan
South Asia