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MULTAN Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi has expressed the desire that the forthcoming meeting with his Indian counterpart in USA on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session would yield positive results and pleaded that it will benefit both the countries.
Talking to media persons, he said that he does not attach high hopes to the expected talks in New York but added there are chances of 'incremental progress' in the wake of the meeting with the Indian external affairs minister.
Reiterating Pakistan's sincere desire to normalize relations with India and reducing tensions between the two countries, Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi said that positive response from the Indian side was vital to move ahead.
He said the Mumbai tragedy was condemnable but added that we cannot afford to remain standstill on this point and need to move forward. He said that Pakistan was studying the Indian dossier and will send its response to India within a week.
He said that Indian intellectuals and think tanks are also raising their voice for resumption of Pak-India dialogue process.
Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh has also stated that dialogue is the only way forward, said Qureshi. He added that the other option was dangerous and suicidal. He said that both countries need to reduce tension and move forward to normalize relations adding that the same is vital for prosperity of the people of the two countries and the whole region.
He said that after heated statements from Indian leaders, Pakistan had summoned the Indian High Commissioner and asked whether India was ready to honour the understanding reached between Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani and his Indian counterpart Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh regarding talks between the two countries on foreign secretaries and foreign ministers' level. The Indian HC confirmed that talks will be held between the foreign ministers after the meeting between the foreign secretaries, he added.
To a question regarding reported Indian attempts to pressurise Pakistan through USA, he categorically stated that there will be no compromise on interests of the state and added that Pakistan will adopt a clear cut stance on all issues.
Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi said that Indian High Commissioner was summoned within half an hour after India's protest over Bunji dam and Gilgit-Baltistan Empowerment initiative and added that the Indian protest was rejected.
Responding to a question on the proposed train service between India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, the foreign minister said that a conducive environment was needed to run trains. He said that hurdles in the way of dialogue needed to be removed to pay attention to longstanding issues.
The foreign minister said that engaging the armed forces on both eastern and western fronts would not benefit Pakistan. The country has a long term strategy for lasting regional peace and the whole world has extended support to Pakistan, said Qureshi adding that India should also respond to peace initiatives positively.—APP
