[The difference in atmospherics then surrounding Modi's invitation to Nawaz Sharif to his coronation in Delhi, last May, followed up with exchange of shawl and sari and other fancy stuff, as compared to this time round could have had not been any starker.
In fact, Jaishankar left for Pakistan, which is being, rather diffidently, presented as a part of his SAARC Yatra, in a rather hush-hush manner. One reason is of course too obvious. ***After the rather abrupt and unilateral calling off of the scheduled meet in last August by India, no word - in fact not a word of explanation, has been issued as regards what exactly has changed since then.*** (See: 'BJP's U-turn on Kashmir!?' at <https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/india-unity/conversations/messages/55596>.) Two, quite interestingly, the newly sworn in Chief Minister of J&K heading a coalition of his party PDP and the BJP, soon after being sworn in, at a press conference with the BJP Dy. Chief Minister by his side, claimed the credit for the resumption of the talks. (See: 'PDP-BJP Government Takes Over in J&K: The Fun Begins' at <https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/india-unity/conversations/messages/55606>.) Then the agenda itself. Not only the declaration of J&K as a disputed territory but also the bombing of the Samjhauta Express and the alleged Raw role in fomenting insurgency in Balochistan are all very well on the table. These issues were, or at least appeared to be, always for the BJP something like the proverbial red rag to a bull. So, what are the compulsions this time round are not too clear as yet. Notwithstanding Mufti's claim, and Obama's visit in January. That the now deposed Sri Lankan President would publicly accuse India / RAW in an interview given to a Pakistani media person is yet another piece in this jigsaw puzzle: "See, the US, Europe, the West, they are not our friends," he says. "Pakistan helped us, especially Musharraf. What happened in my country and the insurgency happening in your country, RAW [India's Research and Analysis Wing] is behind it." (See the report at sl. III below.)] I/III. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Foreign-secy-talks-India-to-raise-cross-border-terror-Pak-to-discuss-India-hand-in-Balochistan/articleshow/46438041.cms Foreign secy talks: India to raise cross-border terror, Pak to discuss India 'hand' in Balochistan Sachin Parashar,TNN | Mar 3, 2015, 05.59 AM IST NEW DELHI: After the false start last year when India cancelled the foreign secretary-level dialogue with Pakistan, the two countries will seek to make a new beginning in bilateral ties with a meeting between top diplomats on Tuesday. Ostensibly under the Saarc umbrella, the meeting between Indian foreign secretary S Jaishankar and his Pakistan counterpart Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry will see the two sides addressing a host of outstanding bilateral issues including J&K. While India will back any initiative to end hostilities across LoC and International Border, it will have to contend with an aggressive Pakistani establishment which is looking to discuss the Kashmir issue, and alleged Indian involvement in terror activities on its western border, with the visiting Indian foreign secretary. India has already said that not much should be expected from the meeting and that the talks are going to be only exploratory in nature. Jaishankar is expected to forcefully reiterate India's concerns over terrorism and make the point that an expeditious trial of Mumbai attacks accused can lead to a more meaningful engagement between the two nations. Sources in Pakistan said Islamabad was looking at substantive bilateral talks with focus on what they described as three main priorities for Islamabad in the engagement with India--the LoC and working boundary ceasefire violations, Kashmir and ``evidence'' of involvement of Indian agencies in fomenting terrorism in Balochistan and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). Pakistan authorities led by the army have in the past few weeks repeatedly raised the issue of India's ``sponsorship'' of terror activities on the western border accusing New Delhi of funding TTP. Pakistan defence minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif was quoted as saying Sunday that India was responsible for creating unrest in the region and that separatist leaders from Balochistan were travelling to India on Indian passports to get directions from the Indian government. Indian government sources said they were not aware of these allegations. The reference to Balochistan in an Indo-Pak joint statement in 2009 in Sharm-el-Sheikh is still remembered as one of the low points of foreign policy under former PM Manmohan Singh. Pakistan media Monday reported that Islamabad will look to restore the relevance of 2003 ceasefire agreement with India. According to Pakistan officials, this was important to prevent ``unprovoked'' firing by Indian troops. The ceasefire violations in the past few years have become the single most significant factor in preventing India from engaging with Pakistan. India called off the dialogue process with Islamabad in January 2003 after the beheading of an Indian soldier at LoC allegedly by Pakistani troops. The same year in August, just as the two sides were finalizing dates to restart dialogue, five Indian soldiers were killed again in an ambush in Poonch. II/III. http://www.dawn.com/news/1167079/indian-foreign-secretary-meets-his-pakistani-counterpart-during-two-day-visit Samjhota Express, LoC violations discussed: Aizaz Chaudhry DAWN.COM | MATEEN HAIDER UPDATED about 2 hours ago ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry said all issues of concern between India and Pakistan were discussed today. He was speaking at a press conference following a meeting with his Indian counterpart. He said issues ranging from India's interference in Balochistan, the Samjhota Express case, and the line of control (LoC) ceasefire violations were brought to India's attention. "We also raised the issue of delay in the Samjhota Express investigation. No investigation details on the incident have been shared with us by India," he said. "Terrorism is not only Pakistan's concern, but both countries are equally affected by it." He said the letter sent by Mr. Modi via Mr. Jaishankar had been handed over to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. "We both have an understanding to fight and end terrorism. We are working to find a common ground from where we can start our joint efforts." When asked whether the issue of Lakhvi came under discussion, Mr. Chaudhry said, "there wasn't enough time to go into detail on every issue." Mr. Chaudhry made clear that the Indian foreign secretary had come to Pakistan on directives of Narendera Modi, who has asked him to visit all South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) countries. Mr. Chaudhry said the overall tone of the meeting was positive and that both countries are ready to reflect on matters of importance to them. Earlier in the day, Indian Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar met Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif at the PM House and discussed matters related to Saarc and bilateral ties between the two neighbours. Nawaz welcomed the meeting between the two foreign secretaries in Islamabad and hoped the process would continue. He underlined the importance of enhanced cooperation among Saarc member states. Mr. Sharif said it is imperative that the leadership of the two countries rises up to the expectations of the two peoples. "We must think together, act together and move forward with the spirit of bringing the two nations closer to each other. The two countries should lend a hand of cooperation to each other to improve the standard of living of 1.5 billion people," said Nawaz Sharif. The Pakistani premier said the South Asian region has suffered enormously due to tensions and unresolved disputes, despite being blessed with enormous resources. Earlier, Jaishankar also met Pakistan's Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry in Islamabad on Tuesday following his arrival in Pakistan for a two-day official visit. Credible sources told Dawn that Secretary Chaudhry greeted his Indian counterpart warmly at the Foreign Office. Senior officials from both sides are assisting in the talks which are the first since New Delhi called them off last year. During the meeting, both foreign secretaries realised that peaceful dialogue is the only way forward to resolve all outstanding issues, sources told Dawn. Sources added that Chaudhry drew the Indian secretary's attention to the recent tensions at the Line of Control (LoC) and Working Boundary. Jaishankar said that he was happy to be visiting Pakistan and that he looks forward to having substantial and meaningful negotiations with Pakistani officials. The primary agenda for the secretaries' meeting was about promoting regional connectivity and trade even though both sides have an understanding about discussing bilateral matters. Accompanied by a delegation of diplomats, Jaishankar was welcomed by officials from the Foreign Ministry as well as those from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad. Jaishankar is in Pakistan as part of a tour of Saarc countries. Also read: Has Kashmir spawned a Pak-India patch-up? Secretary Jaishankar will also meet Adviser on Foreign Affairs and National Security Sartaj Aziz and Special Assistant to Prime Minister Tariq Fatimi. Indian diplomatic sources told Dawn that Secretary Shankar is on a goodwill visit to Saarc countries and that only Saarc related matters would be discussed by him during his visit. Islamabad is the third stop in Jaishankar's Saarc trip that began on Sunday. He earlier visited Bhutan and Bangladesh. He will travel to Kabul from here on Wednesday. The visit is taking place almost seven months after Delhi cancelled the last planned secretaries' dialogue in August on the pretext that Pakistani High Commissioner in Delhi Abdul Basit had consulted Kashmiri leaders. Both sides are to hold what officials have been describing as "talks for talks" (dialogue on resuming suspended talks). Explore: Defence anxieties Bilateral relations discussed with Sartaj Aziz Indian Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar on the first day of his two-day visit to Pakistan met the Adviser to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz. According to sources, bilateral relations and the security situation in South Asia came under discussion during the meeting. Jaishankar had earlier met the Special Assistant to Prime Minister Tariq Fatimi and his Pakistani counterpart Aizaz Chaudhry. Pakistan to host next Saarc summit Pakistan will chair the next South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) conference and India would like to work with Pakistan to help Saarc achieve its potential, said the India foreign secretary after his meeting with Aizaz Chaudhry. "During talks with the Pakistani foreign secretary, I reiterated India's concerns on cross border terrorism, including the Mumbai case," S. Jaishankar told media representatives while reading out a written statement. He said he was glad to be in Islamabad as part of the Indian Prime Minister's initiative of a Saarc Yatra. "I conveyed the expectations of our leadership on Saarc and their determination to forge a cooperative relationship with all our neighbors," Jaishankar said. During the meeting, both sides discussed ideas and initiatives to take Saarc forward. "Naturally, my visit provided an opportunity to discuss our bilateral relations and we engaged on each other's concerns and interests in an open manner," he added. He also said that both parties have agreed to work together to find common ground and narrow differences as ensuring peace and tranquility on the border was vital. "Our talks were held in a constructive and positive atmosphere," Jaishankar elaborated. While briefly talking to media representatives, Pakistan's Foreign Office spokesperson Tasneem Aslam termed the meeting as an ice breaker and said all issues between Pakistan and India came under discussion. III. http://www.dawn.com/news/1166653 Footprints: Five minutes with Sri Lanka's former president MALEEHA HAMID SIDDIQUI UPDATED 3 days ago A QUEUE outside Carlton House, residence of former Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa, in Tangalle. Hundreds of people come to pay their respects to him every day.--Photo by writer IT is 8am on Saturday and I am outside Carlton House, the forest-green-coloured residence of Mahinda Rajapaksa, former president of Sri Lanka. It is a modest structure and on a low roof perches a medium-sized board carrying a picture of him beaming. He has been residing in his hometown Tangalle after his shocking defeat in the presidential elections nearly 50 days ago. According to news reports, his electoral loss takes its place alongside that of former Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi, who was so certain of her popularity that she called early elections in 1977. Mr Rajapaksa too had -- counselled by his astrologer -- called for early elections. His residence is manned by two policemen in olive-green uniforms along with three intelligence officials dressed in plain, solid-coloured half-sleeved shirts and black trousers. They cast a cursory look at me and continue watching the sloping road. Sari-clad women, men in shirts and colourful sarongs and uniformed schoolchildren are walking up and down it. Some of them walk past the gate of the residence, which is shaded by a large tree, to meet with and have their children blessed by "Mahinda Raja" (King Mahinda). He is usually present in his house but for the last two days he has been in Colombo and is now on his way to Tangalle. This I know because I came to Carlton House on Thursday when I was earlier insistently told by a contact whom had I met serendipitously in Mount Lavinia in Colombo that I should meet Mr Rajapaksa. "He hasn't spoken publicly to the media ever since his electoral loss and you should speak to him and write about it," my contact said. So here I am by the gate waiting for Nishantha Sandabarana, a close aide to Mr Rajapaksa, who will take me to meet him. I am struck by the ordinariness of the entire scene. There is a pharmacy next to Carlton House where people purchase their medicines. Right opposite the house is a union council office, next to it is a fire brigade and alongside a cinema. Nobody is stopped by the law enforcement officials. There are no checkpoints. No fortified entrance. One cannot help thinking about the fortified mansion of our former president in his home city Karachi. Half past eight and buses upon buses draw up at Carlton House. People dressed in their best clothes go inside the house. Clearly, he is still very popular. Later, a policeman informs me that two days after the presidential result was announced on Jan 9, people started to appear outside his residence since 4am. "Thousands came that day," he says, adding that these days, hundreds come every day to pay their respects to the former president. About 45 minutes later Mr Sandabarana appears. He tells me that Mr Rajapaksa should arrive in half an hour. I am taken inside the gate and directed towards a seat next to a tiny security room. Here, people hand over their mobile phones and then stand quietly in a queue. At a quarter past nine, I spot a large black sedan entering the compound. The crowd chants "Jayaviva" (May you have a long life). Mr Rajapaksa has finally arrived. Mr Sandabarana comes to fetch me but first I have to hand over my bag to the security staff. We walk past the long queue and Mr Sandabarana says: "I told him that a Pakistani lady wants to meet him because you live in her heart and in Pakistani people's hearts." Without missing a beat, I answer: "Ah, yes! Absolutely." I am taken to a room with people standing in line before a large glass-topped desk; the former president is seated in a brown leather chair. He smiles and we shake hands. "It is lovely to meet you," I say. "I can't imagine us meeting our former president like this. You are very popular." He beams, clasping my hand warmly. I ask him that the Sri Lankans I have met here say that Pakistan helped in quelling the Tamil insurgency. How so? ***"See, the US, Europe, the West, they are not our friends," he says. "Pakistan helped us, especially Musharraf. What happened in my country and the insurgency happening in your country, RAW [India's Research and Analysis Wing] is behind it."*** [Emphasis added.] I ask him how Pakistan and Sri Lanka can develop closer ties. "I have visited Pakistan twice and went to Taxila and saw the Buddhist relics," he says. "People here don't know about these things." Leaning back in his chair, he becomes pensive and of his own volition speaks about his defeat in the elections. "The Muslims in the east and people in the north were misled, probably by international forces," he muses. Any message for the Pakistani people, I ask. "We hope your insurgency is over soon, that the country prospers and we become closer." Before I take my leave, I thank him profusely for meeting me, "I have to ask you this, do you still believe in astrology?" "Now, I don't," he says and laughs out loud. Published in Dawn, March 1st, 2015 -- Peace Is Doable -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Green Youth Movement" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To post to this group, send an email to [email protected]. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/greenyouth. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
