MURREE: The emissaries’ level talks between India and Pakistan begin here tomorrow [April 26] morning at 10, with a positive note struck by the Indian Prime Minister’s emissary, Mr D.P. Dhar ... and reciprocated by the spokesman of the Pakistan Government. Mr Dhar, on arrival at Islamabad airport this afternoon, said that he had come “with an open mind and heart”. A Pakistani Government spokesman later welcomed Mr Dhar’s statement and expressed the hope that the talks would make rapid progress. ... The 17-member Indian delegation to the talks, led by Mr D.P. Dhar, arrived here this evening from Islamabad by road after flying in from New Delhi in a special plane.

President Bhutto’s emissary Mr Aziz Ahmad and the Indian team will hold talks at the President’s House where the Indian delegation is staying. In his prepared statement to newsmen at Islamabad airport Mr Dhar said he had come ... seeking “a beginning of co-operation between our two countries in their common quest for a lasting and durable peace” and with the hope that his work here with President Bhutto’s emissary would be “a step in this direction through facilitating summit level talks between our heads of Governments”. — Special representative

Published in Dawn, April 26th, 2022