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DOCUMENT No.10
Text of Joint Statement Issued at Indo-Pak Talks
Conclusion
NEW DELHI (India): Following is the text of the Joint Statement
issued Wednesday at the conclusion of two-day talks held at Foreign Ministers
level between India and Pakistan on September 5 and 6, 2004 here.
The External Affairs Minister of India Shri K.Natwar Singh and
Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Khurshid M Kasuri, met in New Delhi on September
5 and 6, to review status of the Composite Dialogue. Their meeting was
preceded by a meeting between the Foreign Secretary of India Shri Shyam Saran
and Foreign Secretary of Pakistan Riaz H. Khokhar on September 4. The talks
were held in a cordial and constructive atmosphere.
They reiterated their commitment to the principles and purposes
of the Charter of the United Nations, and their determination to implement the
Simla Agreement in letter and spirit.
The Foreign Ministers expressed satisfaction at the progress
made so far, and positively assessed the development in bilateral relations
over the past year.
Recalling the reassurance contained in the Joint Press
Statement of January 6, 2004, they exchanged views on carrying the process
forward in an atmosphere free from terrorism and violence.
The Ministers held detailed and substantive discussions and
reiterated the confidence that the Composite Dialogue will lead to peaceful
settlement of all bilateral issues, including Jammu and Kashmir, to the
satisfaction of both sides. They agreed to continue with the serious and
sustained dialogue to find a peaceful negotiated final settlement. They
expressed their determination to take the process forward.
The wide ranging proposals on confidence building, promotion of
friendly exchanges and enhancing trade and economic cooperation, made by both
the sides were examined and it was agreed that these would be discussed
further.
The Ministers agreed on the following:
a.
Expert level
meetings on conventional and Nuclear CBMs, inter alia, to discuss the draft
agreement on advance notification of missile tests;
b.
Meeting between
railway authorities on the Munnabao-Khokharapar rail link.
c.
Biannual meeting
between Indian Border Security Force (BSF) and Pakistan Rangers in October
2004.
d.
Meeting between
Narcotics Control Authorities, including for finalization of an MOU in
October/November 2004.
e.
Meeting between
the India Coast Guards and the Pakistani Maritime Security Agency in November
2004 to, inter alia, discuss the Memorandum of Understanding for establishing
communication link between them.
f.
Establishment of
Committee of experts to consider issues related to trade.
g.
On Siachen, the
outcome of the August 2004 meeting of Defence Secretaries would be
implemented.
h.
Joint Survey of
the boundary pillars in the horizontal segment (blue dotted line) of the
International Boundary in the Sir Creek area.
i.
Meeting on all
issues related to commencement of a bus service between Srinagar and
Muzaffarabad.
j.
Add a new category
of Tourism Visa in the visa regime between the two countries, and promote
group tourism.
k.
Set up a mechanism
to deal with the issue of civilian prisoners and fishermen, effectively and
speedily.
l.
Further measures
for facilitation of visits to religious shrines and upkeep of historical
sites.
m. Enhanced interaction and exchanges among the respective
Foreign Offices, including study tours of young diplomats /probationers to
each other's country.
They recognized the importance of availability and access to
energy resources in the region around South Asia. The Ministers of
Petroleum/Gas could meet to discuss the issue in its multifarious dimensions.
The Foreign Minister of Pakistan met the National Security
Advisor, J N Dixit, and also called on Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh,
during his stay in India.
The two sides agreed to the continuation of high level meetings
and visits, including:
a.
A meeting between
President Musharraf and Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh in New York on the
margins of UNGA later this month.
b.
Visit by Prime
Minister Shaukat Aziz to India as chairperson of SAARC.
c.
Meeting between
Prime Minister of India and Prime Minister
Shaukat Aziz in Dhaka, in January next, on the margins of Saarc Summit.
It was also agreed that the two Foreign Secretaries would meet
in December this year to discuss overall progress, as well as subjects of
Peace and Security including CBMs, and Jammu and Kashmir, in the Composite
Dialogue. They would also work out the schedule of meetings on the other six
subjects i.e Siachen, Wullar Barrage/Tulbul Navigation Project, Sir Creek,
Terrorism and Drug Trafficking, Economic and Commercial Cooperation and
Promotion of Friendly Exchanges in various fields under the Composite
Dialogue.
The Foreign Minister of Pakistan invited India's the External
Affairs Minister to visit Pakistan. The invitation was accepted and the dates
would be worked through diplomatic channels”.
Pakistan Times,
5-6 September 2004
<http://www.pakistantimes.net/2004/09/09/top11.htm>
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