You have with you a Joint Statement that has been agreed by both sides which reflects our common position. I will only make a reference to three issues in this Joint Statement. We said: The issue of peace and security including CBMs was discussed in a comprehensive manner. Both sides emphasized the need to promote greater trust and mutual understanding through constructive dialogue. The Foreign Secretaries noted that both countries recognize that terrorism poses a continuing threat to peace and security. They reaffirmed the strong commitment of the two countries to fight and eliminate terrorism in an effective and comprehensive manner. The Foreign Secretaries had a comprehensive exchange of views on the issue of Jammu & Kashmir and agreed to continue discussions in a purposeful and forward looking manner with the view to finding a peaceful solution by narrowing divergences and building convergences. And finally, I draw your attention, both sides underlined the importance of greater people to people contacts and friendly exchanges in building a relationship of trust and friendship between the two countries. Thank you.
Jalil Abbas Jilani, Foreign Secretary of Pakistan: Excellency Mr. Ranjan Mathai, Foreign Secretary of India, my very dear friends from the press corps, ladies and gentlemen.
It is a great pleasure for me to be back in this historic city. I am delighted to meet my old friends and colleagues. I would like to thank His Excellency Mr. Ranjan Mathai, the Foreign Secretary of India, for the gracious hospitality extended to me and my delegation ever since our arrival in New Delhi. I bring to the people and the Government of India message of goodwill, peace and cooperation from the people and Government of Pakistan.
My talks with Foreign Secretary Mr. Ranjan Mathai on peace and security including CBMs, Jammu and Kashmir and promotion of friendly exchanges have been substantive. We discussed these issues in detail in a cordial atmosphere. We held separate meetings for each segment which are part of Pakistan-India dialogue process.
We reviewed progress on peace and security and agreed to convene separate meetings of the expert-level Working Group on Nuclear and Conventional CBMs. We also discussed in detail Jammu and Kashmir with a view to finding peaceful resolution. We also reviewed progress on various cross-LoC Intra-Kashmir CBMs. We have agreed to convene a meeting of the Joint Working Group on Cross-LoC CBMs to streamline and strengthen travel and trade arrangements.
We have agreed that friendly exchanges in various fields will help in building trust and resolving all issues. We have agreed that the process dialogue should continue as there is no alternative to dialogue and constructive engagement.
Pakistan and India are two important countries in South Asia. They have a special responsibility to promote stability, peace and prosperity in the region. We are not only close neighbours, we are also partners in SAARC. I have conveyed to Foreign Secretary Mathai that Pakistan seeks friendly, cooperative and good neighbourly relations with India.
We must make sincere and serious efforts towards building mutual trust applying political will in resolving all outstanding issues through peaceful means, and continue to work for promotion of peace, harmony and cooperation.
Let me repeat what I said on my arrival. I have come here with a clear mandate from the leadership of Pakistan to promote bilateral relations. Let me assure you of our sincere desire to make every effort to resolve our differences and move forward.
I wish to thank Foreign Secretary Mathai once again for his invitation and warm hospitality. Thank you.
Ritul Joshi, Aaj Tak: My question is both for Mr. Mathai and Mr. Jilani. Mr. Mathai, now that India has fresh evidence of involvement of Pakistani state actors in 26/11 attacks, was this evidence in terms of the confessional statement of Abu Jundal, his Pakistani ID and Passport, handed over to Pakistan? And what kind of action are you expecting from the Pakistani side?
Mr. Jilani, aap se guzaarish hai agar aap jawab Urdu mein dein to hamein bahut khushi hogi kyon ki hum ek Hindi channel ke liye kaam karte hain.