India decides to have foreign secy-level talks with Pak

Offer made to Pakistan, reply awaited, say sources

PTI | February 4, 2010



In an ice-breaking decision, India has offered to have Foreign Secretary-level talks with Pakistan to discuss terrorism and any other issue that could lead to peace between the two neighbours.

The offer of talks has been made to Pakistan and a reply is awaited, sources said here today about the decision that marks softening of India's post-26/11 stance apparently because Pakistan government has produced evidence in court against those held in connection with Mumbai terror attacks.

At the talks, India intends to raise the issue of terrorism and any other matter that could "contribute to creating an atmosphere of peace and security" between the two countries, the sources said.

India will "enter into the discussions with an open and positive mind" and will raise all "relevant issues," they said.

On the outcome of the proposed meeting, the sources said this should not be pre-judged.

There was, however, no indication whether the proposed Foreign Secretary-level talks could lead to resumption of composite dialogue under which eight outstanding issues, including Jammu and Kashmir, were being discussed prior to the November 26, 2008 attacks in Mumbai.

India had suspended the composite dialogue after Mumbai terror attacks and refused to restart the process before it could see any concrete action being taken by Pakistan in punishing those behind the carnage.

Comments

 

Other News

EU–India FTA 2026: A high‑stakes prescription for Indian pharma and healthcare

India’s pharmaceutical industry stands as one of the world’s market leaders of generic pharmacy with market valuation of USD 50 billion in 2026. Characterised by high volume, low-cost generic manufacturing, with an annual growth rate of 10-12% primarily propelled by exports and domestic demand,

Legends, vignettes and tales from the freedom movement

Robin Hood of Kathiawar and Other Extraordinary Stories from India’s Freedom Movement By The Paperclip  HarperCollins, 348 pages, Rs 499  

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta tells quirky tales from the world of law

The Lawful and the Awful: Quirky Tales from the World of Law By Tushar Mehta Rupa Publications, 336 pages, Rs 995  

Cabinet meet discussed `Ease of Living`, `Ease of Doing Business`

The Council of Ministers has deliberated upon valuable perspectives and best practices relating to boosting ‘Ease of Living’ and ‘Ease of Doing Business’, prime minister Narendra Modi said on Friday.   As he shared details of the Council meeting held the d

India should deepen energy partnerships with Africa

The vulnerability of Strait of Hormuz continues to influence energy politics globally. India is highly dependent on imported crude oil as a significant portion of its oil imports still come from the Gulf ultimately making such disruptions particularly consequential and has immediate economic ramifications

The rupee stumbles: Can India Inc. chip in?

Every time the Indian rupee weakens to a new record low, the conversation follows a familiar script. The RBI intervenes. Economists debate the current account deficit. The government appeals to citizens to cut consumption. And within a few news cycles, attention moves on, until the next record low arrives.


Archives

Current Issue

Opinion

Facebook Twitter Google Plus Linkedin Subscribe Newsletter

Twitter