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KARACHI, Dec 5: Indian High Commissioner Shiv Shankar Menon has said that his country is keen to reopen its consulate in Karachi as most of the Indian visa seekers come from Karachi and other parts of Sindh.
"We have already started the repair and renovation work at the consulate building but we will reopen it only if Pakistan reopens its consulate in Mumbai,'' he maintained, indicating that both the consulates have to function simultaneously.
Mr Menon who was accompanied by the Deputy High Commissioner, E. A. Raghavan, was talking to a group of newsmen after his meeting with City Nazim Niamatullah Khan at his residence on Sunday.
In reply to a question, Mr Menon said: "In October, we had identified some places in Mumbai to house Pakistan consulate. Once Islamabad approved a building, the consulate could be opened.'' Pakistan also wanted to reopen its consulate in Mumbai, he added.
When asked about the possibility of setting up the consulate in Jinnah House, the high commissioner said: "The consulate would be set up in an alternative building.''
Regarding the proposed reopening of the Khokhrapar-Munabao Rail link, Mr Menon referred to the recently concluded meeting of the two countries' representatives on the issue, and pointed out that the rail tracks on both the sides required some work.
Replying to another question, the Indian envoy said it was already decided that the train would shuttle once in a week initially. With regard to the problems being faced by Indian visa seekers, he said that the Indian consulate had provided drop box facilities to visa seekers who could use courier service for the purpose.
"The demand for visa is very high and cannot be met fully at the moment,'' he maintained referring to the long queues at the Indian embassy. He acknowledged that peoples of both the countries were now keen to see promotion of good neighbourly, close and friendly relations between India and Pakistan. The cricket diplomacy, which was followed by hockey diplomacy, was a manifestation, he added.
When his comment was sought on the proposal of single currency, the Mr Menon said that this idea, along with several others, was floated by Saarc experts. "If India and Pakistan start working jointly, sky is the limit,'' he remarked.
He was of the view that all issues, including that of Kashmir, could be resolved through peaceful negotiations. Foreign secretaries of the two countries would be meeting in Islamabad to discuss the issue of Kashmir. The talks would be followed by a meeting of foreign ministers, he added.
About possibility of bilateral cooperation in shipping sector, Mr Menon pointed out that there already existed a shipping protocol for direct shipping link and, if needed, it could be reviewed. "However, as far as ferry service is concerned, it is a commercial venture and can be considered if any move in this regard is made.''
MEETING: City Nazim Niamatullah Khan described his meeting with the Indian High Commissioner as a courtesy call, and said they exchanged views on matters of mutual interest and found consensus on ground realities.
"The first thing which must be reconciled at the level of people and government, is that Pakistan and India are two sovereign states as the time to determine whether the Partition was right or wrong has passed over long ago.
Both the countries ought to resolve all bilateral issues through dialogue because it is not only the desire but compulsion of the peoples of the two countries that they maintain close relations.''
Mr Khan referred to the first one-day cricket match between Pakistan and India in Karachi and recalled that both the teams received appreciation in the same manner when they displayed good performance during and after the match. Similar spirit should be displayed in resolving bilateral issues, he said, adding that war was no solution to any problem.
He welcomed the composite dialogue on Kashmir issue that are already in progress at different levels, and said that there were no two opinions about resolution of the issue in accordance with the aspirations of the people of Kashmir.
In reply to a question, the city nazim said that the number of divided families was around four million and most of them lived in Karachi. He said those living in Sindh appeared eager to see the Kokhrapar-Munabao route opened because it was very short route for them to meet their relatives in India.
Responding to another question, the nazim said that laying of broad-gauge track on Khokhrapar-Munabao sector would take 16 to 18 months. However, developing a road link on this section could also be taken into account. When Mr Menon's comment on his meeting with Mr Khan was sought, the Indian envoy said he was in total agreement with the views of Mr Khan.
