October 3, 2005	Monday	Sha’aban 28, 1426

ISLAMABAD, Oct 2: Foreign ministers of Pakistan and India are all set to hold the second round of all-encompassing talks here on Monday amid guarded optimism of some forward movement on Siachen and Sir Creek issues.

The Indian External Affairs Minister, Mr Natwar Singh, arrived here late Sunday afternoon after attending the meeting of the cabinet committee on security.

In certain circles immense importance is being attached to this as it is believed that some key decisions may have been taken at the meeting with regard to Siachen, Sir Creek and Kashmir.

Mr Singh is accompanied by a 15-member delegation which includes his foreign secretary Shyam Saran and senior officials of six ministries. Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri and Mr Singh will hold delegation-level talks at the Foreign Office on Monday morning.

This will be the first high-level interaction between the two governments after the Sept 14 Musharraf-Manmohan meeting in New York.

According to informed sources, the two sides are likely to agree on a broad framework for the settlement of Siachen and Sir Creek issues. The April 18 joint statement issued after the Musharraf-Manmohan meeting in New Delhi also underlined the need to resolve these issues.

According to a Reuters report, Mr Natwar told journalists at Islamabad airport that his second visit to Pakistan in eight months reflected the positive momentum in relations between the two countries. “It is overwhelming desire of the peoples in both our countries for friendly relations. Our governments respond to these sentiments and work towards a positive outcome of our deliberations,” he said.

The fact that some 22 Indian journalists are in town to cover the talks signals that some important announcements may be made at the end of the talks.

Both sides will review the progress made so far in the composite dialogue and take up important questions regarding the peace process. On top of the agenda will be Kashmir and peace and security.

In the afternoon the two sides will sign agreements on pre-notification of missile tests and establishment of a hotline between Pakistan Maritime Security Agency and Indian Coast Guards.

A joint press statement will be issued after the talks, it is learnt. In the evening Mr Kasuri will host a dinner in honour of Mr Singh and members of his delegation.

On Tuesday the two foreign ministers will hold the joint commission meeting after which a joint press statement will be issued.

Mr Singh is scheduled to call on President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Tuesday afternoon before he leaves for Karachi. In Karachi, he will inspect the Indian consulate building and also call on the governor of Sindh and the chief minister. He will leave for New Delhi the following day.

KASURI: Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri on Sunday underscored that the pace of resolution of all outstanding disputes between Pakistan and India was vital for sustaining the ongoing peace process.

Talking to this correspondent on the eve his meeting with Mr Singh he said: “It is a very important meeting at which we will review all aspects of the composite dialogue and it will set the guidelines for future engagement.”

When Mr Kasuri’s attention was drawn to growing cynicism about the dialogue process focusing more on confidence building measures (CBMs) than on dispute resolution, he said: “I do not undermine the importance of CBMs in carrying forward the peace process but people on both sides must be able to see there is also movement forward towards dispute resolution.” He then added: “We feel it is necessary that both sides are seen as beginning to make progress on all outstanding issues.

Pointing to the strong peace constituencies that existed on both sides, Mr Kasuri underlined that they were an asset for the peace process and it was important that they do not become disillusioned or cynical about it. His reference was apparently to the slow movement towards settlement of bilateral disputes, including Jammu and Kashmir.

The foreign minister, who was careful not to say anything negative ahead of the talks, emphasised that the two nuclear armed neighbours had come a long way since 2001.

He said Pakistan was very serious and determined to carry the peace process forward a notch higher if not more.

The foreign minister was non-committal when asked if there was a likelihood of both sides agreeing on a broad framework to resolve the Siachen issue. “It is not appropriate for me to talk about it one day prior to the meeting,” was his brief response.

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