[The statement issued is rather short and sparse. Even then it's a (rather abrupt and welcome) reversal of the Modi government's policy of "no talk" with Pakistan. However, though the statement posits that the two countries "are prepared to discuss all outstanding issues", no mechanism for resumption of the "composite dialogue" is delineated.]
I/II. http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/modisharif-meeting-short-on-deliverables-experts/article7409185.ece?w=spa Updated: July 11, 2015 09:23 IST Modi-Sharif meeting short on deliverables: experts SMRITI KAK RAMACHANDRAN The India-Pakistan joint statement at Ufa indicates a positive development, says former Foreign Secretary Lalit Mansingh. File photo Silence on issue of resuming composite dialogue decried. Foreign policy experts have dubbed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif, on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in Ufa, Russia, high on optics and low on deliverables. The meeting in itself is being perceived as a departure from the Modi government’s stated position on Pakistan. Even as the joint statement asserted that the leaders are prepared to discuss all “outstanding issues,” experts were quick to point out that there was no mention of resuming the composite dialogue. They were also sceptical about Pakistan’s intentions to counter terrorism. Former Deputy National Security Adviser Leela Ponappa told The Hindu that the meeting has given a five-point agreement, but not much else “to be excited about.” ‘No commitmentfrom Pakistan’ Referring to the proposed meeting between the two NSAs to discuss all issues connected to terrorism, she said: “Will Pakistan agree to stop terrorism when the NSAs meet? Will they agree to hand over the voice samples [for expediting Mumbai attack trials]? Meetings between DG, BSF, and DG, Pakistan Rangers, have been happening, Director Generals of Military Operation (DGMOs) talk, release of fishermen and religious tourism is an ongoing process. It is all fine in terms of a statement, but is there a commitment from Pakistan to stop terrorism?” Former Foreign Secretary Lalit Mansingh said the joint statement indicates a “positive development, and shows an unfreezing from the Indian side,” but he also underlined the silence on the issue of resuming the composite dialogue. “I think it is significant that for the first time the NSAs have been formally brought into the talks, earlier the discussions used to be at the Foreign Secretary-level. In any case, the meeting of the DGMOs that took place after a gap of 14 years (in 2013) did not lead to anything important on border management.” Mr. Mansingh also pointed out that India should not have settled for saying that both sides have agreed to discuss ways and means to expedite the Mumbai attack trial as it contradicts New Delhi’s claims that Pakistan has been dragging its feet on the issue. “India has already completed the trials. By saying we are expediting the trials, we are taking on the responsibility of the delay,” he said. Former Ambassador and deputy NSA Satish Chandra minced no words in describing the meeting as a “climb down” by the Modi government from its position on Pakistan. He said the meeting was a “surprise” because the government had taken a “tough posture” vis-à-vis Pakistan, and even laid down conditions for talks. “In the past as well, there have been flip-flops by successive Indian governments. The present government had made known their tough position on Pakistan but there have been no substantial engagements on countering terrorism, despite that there is a change of policy,” he said. Mr. Chandra said there is a need for India to be “consistent” in its policy towards Pakistan and that it cannot be accused of “exporting terror” one day and designated as “best friend” the other. II. http://www.thehindu.com/news/resources/full-text-of-the-joint-statement-by-the-foreign-secretaries-of-india-and-pakistan-in-russia/article7407431.ece Updated: July 10, 2015 13:21 IST Full text of India-Pakistan joint statement on PM Narendra Modi-Nawaz Sharif talks in Russia Indian Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar and his Pakistan counterpary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry issued a joint statement in the Russian city of Ufa, after a bilateral meeting between Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Nawaz Sharif. Here is the full statement: The Prime Ministers of Pakistan and India met today on the sidelines of the SCO Summit in Ufa. The meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere. The two leaders exchanged views on issues of bilateral and regional interest. They agreed that India and Pakistan have a collective responsibility to ensure peace and promote development. To do so, they are prepared to discuss all outstanding issues. Both leaders condemned terrorism in all its forms and agreed to cooperate with each other to eliminate this menace from South Asia. They also agreed on the following steps to be taken by the two sides: 1. A meeting in New Delhi between the two NSAs to discuss all issues connected to terrorism. 2. Early meetings of DG BSF and DG Pakistan Rangers followed by that of DGMOs. 3. Decision for release of fishermen in each other’s custody, along with their boats, within a period of 15 days. 4. Mechanism for facilitating religious tourism. 5. Both sides agreed to discuss ways and means to expedite the Mumbai case trial, including additional information like providing voice samples. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif reiterated his invitation to Prime Minister Modi to visit Pakistan for the SAARC Summit in 2016. Prime Minister Modi accepted the invitation. -- 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.
