'We Are Listening Carefully To Each Other'

Her Excellency Ms. Hina Rabbani Khar, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan and I, along with our delegations, have held very useful discussions today. The talks were held in a cordial and positive atmosphere. We have had detailed and fruitful exchange of views on all issues of mutual interest and concern. We have reviewed the progress in the dialogue process since its resumption in February 2011. We have also deliberated on the way forward.

2. I must say that I am satisfied at the progress achieved in this round of the resumed dialogue. The outcomes have been as per our expectations. Above all, we have reaffirmed our commitment to resolve all outstanding issues through a comprehensive, serious and sustained dialogue. While being fully cognisant of the challenges that lie ahead, I can confidently say that our relations are on the right track. We have some distance to travel, but with an open mind and a constructive approach, which has been demonstrated in this round of dialogue, I am sure we can reach our desired destination of having a friendly and cooperative relationship between the two countries.

3. We have agreed on a Joint Statement which you will have soon. Nevertheless, I would like to highlight a few important points:

i) We have agreed that terrorism poses a continuing threat to peace and security and reiterated the firm and undiluted commitment of the two countries to fight and eliminate this scourge in all its forms and manifestations. We have also agreed on the need to strengthen cooperation on counter-terrorism to bring those responsible for terror crimes to justice.

ii) On Jammu and Kashmir, we will continue discussions with a view to finding a peaceful solution by narrowing divergences and building convergences. Meanwhile, for the welfare of the people on both sides of the LoC, we have announced additional measures on cross-LoC travel and trade. Details are given in the Joint Statement.

iii) We have agreed that increase in trade and economic cooperation between the two countries would be mutually beneficial and have noted with satisfaction the outcome of the Commerce Secretary level talks held in Islamabad in April 2011.In this context, we have decided to resume the work of the India-Pakistan Joint Commission.

iv) We will therefore continue our dialogue process.

v) We have also decided that the two Foreign Ministers will meet again in Islamabad in the first half of 2012 to review progress in the dialogue process.

4. Let me once again thank the Foreign Minister of Pakistan for coming to New Delhi and for her leadership in the dialogue process. I am satisfied at the outcome of our talks. We are listening carefully to each other and giving serious consideration to the ideas and proposals from both sides that are on the table. I also confident about our future course of our relations, which has to be normalised for peace progress and prosperity of our two countries and the region.