ISLAMABAD, May 29: Indian Home Secretary V. K. Dugal on Monday called for enhanced people-to-people contacts and cooperation in socio-economic fields for better relations between India and Pakistan.
“The two sides can get tremendous help by each other in various fields of life. Its a positive sign that the two countries have agreed to sit together to discuss various issues of vital interests for the sake of upcoming generations.”
Speaking at a press conference at a hotel here Monday, he said unfortunately the two sides never agreed to sit together in past. He pointed out that the interior secretary level meeting, held last year in India, had been held after 17 years.
He said during the two-day dialogue commencing on Tuesday both sides would discuss cooperation in the field of counter-terrorism and all related issues including anti-drug and narcotics smuggling, exchange of civil prisoners. He said the meeting would also take forward the agenda of building a solid foundation for cooperation and common understanding.
“Like good friends, like brothers, the entire agenda would be moved swiftly and the two countries would prepare a strategy for cooperation.
He said the two sides had prepared a draft to address drug-smuggling and would soon sign an MoU in this regard. Mr Dugal expressed the hope that such steps would help strengthen relations between the two countries.
Replying to a question regarding Kashmir issue, Mr Dugal said the dialogue would help formulate wide-ranging cooperation between India and Pakistan. He said the two heads of states were discussing the Kashmir issue and “we should leave the issue with them”.
The Home Secretary reiterated the stance of Indian Prime Minister regarding Kashmir issue and said the ultimate solution of the problem lie in economic development and removing misunderstandings which would prove to be the foundation of the resolution to the issue.
He said Rawalakot Bus Service would soon be started while the trade links would begin from July this year and both the governments were trying to further boost the confidence building measures for attaining the desired results.
Observing that terrorism has emerged as a threat to both the countries, he told a Pakistani private TV channel: “India and Pakistan have to fight together to get rid of this.”
During Tuesday’s talks India is expected to discuss at least two aspects of terrorism.—Agencies
