Media Briefing by Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran on the Visit of President Musharraf
Shyam Saran: Let me begin from what happened this morning. As you know, President Musharraf and Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh began the day today with the inauguration of the final ODI at Ferozeshah Kotla grounds. They were introduced to the two teams. Thereafter, for about an hour or so they watched the match. We then shifted to Hyderabad House where talks were held between the two sides. We began with talks at which some delegation members were present. From the Indian side, Minister of Defence Shri Pranab Mukherjeeji, our Railway Minister Shri Lalu Prasad Yadavji, our External Affairs Minister was also present. Our Minister for Commerce and Industry Shri Kamal Nathji was also there at the meeting. President Musharraf was accompanied by his Foreign Minister and other members of the delegation.
During these talks, the Prime Minister and President Musharraf reviewed the progress that had been made in our relations so far. I must say that the very positive and forward-looking atmosphere which was already evident both on the eve of the visit as also during the speeches which were made last evening at Prime Minister’s dinner in honour of President Musharraf, that positive tone, was maintained throughout the talks.
Prime Minister welcomed the fact that during the past year and a half there had been a very significant change in the relationship between the two countries. There was a transformation in terms of the public mood in the two countries. He said that as Prime Minister of India he was prepared to travel the road towards lasting peace between the two countries. In reviewing the relationship, he went back to the Joint Statement which was made on January 6, 2004, particularly the assurance contained therein that no part of the territory under the control of Pakistan would be used for any terrorist activity against India. He said that this assurance opened up new opportunities for improvement of relations between the two countries, and taking this relationship forward, and that is precisely what had happened.
He mentioned that it was the responsibility of our two countries to ensure that this positive movement in our relations, the positive ambience which had been created in our relations, is not thwarted by the activities of terrorist elements. He welcomed the fact that the terrorist attack on the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service was condemned by Pakistan. This was just the kind of activity which can mar the ongoing peace process between the two countries, and hence the great importance of our controlling this particular aspect, that is, the activities of terrorist groups.
While we have seen forward movement in our relations, Prime Minister also conveyed that he was aware that there are difficulties that need to be overcome. So, we do not minimize those difficulties. But he put across in his talks his own vision of what he looks at the future of South Asia. He said that if one goes to other parts of the world, we see countries coming together, the economic and commercial prospects of regions improving because they are cooperating with one another. He suggested that if in South Asia, India and Pakistan as the two largest countries, as the two largest economies, if they were to join hands together, brought their creative energies together - after all the peoples of the two countries are extremely talented, we have resources - it is possible for us to transform the economic prospects of South Asian region as a whole so that it becomes also a dynamic pole in terms of economic prosperity of the Asian region and the world as a whole. He also conveyed that in his view this was eminently possible and this is the direction in which he would like to take the relationship between the two countries.
We were very happy to note that President Musharraf not only responded very positively to what Prime Minister had to say but shared his vision of the two countries focusing their energies on improving the livelihood of their peoples, of synergising their energies, so that there is common prosperity, shared prosperity between the two countries.
We also discussed, of course, the issue of Jammu and Kashmir. In this connection, the Prime Minister pointed out that while the redrawing of boundaries was not something that was possible, but anything that could bring the peoples on the two sides together – whether it is in terms of increased transportation linkages; greater traffic of peoples across the border and the Line of Control; cross-LoC, cross-border trade between the two countries; encouraging across-the-spectrum contact between people – would help the process along which would create the ambience so that at sometime in the future the more complex problems could be addressed successfully.
President Musharraf, while stressing the importance of addressing the Jammu and Kashmir issue, agreed that the confidence-building process between the two countries had made a lot of progress. This is a process which should be continued, should be intensified, and that while we need not impose any deadlines or timelines, the more important thing was that we should be addressing whatever outstanding differences there are between the two countries.
There were a number of specific issues that were touched upon during these talks. For example, some of the proposals that have been put forward like the link between Khokhrapar and Munabao across Rajasthan and Sindh. As you know, we had made a pledge in Parliament that from our side this link would be ready to be operationalised by October 2 this year. President Musharraf mentioned that perhaps that deadline may not be feasible but he would ensure that this link became operational by December 2005.
On the economic side it was agreed that the Joint Commission that had already existed between India and Pakistan - and which I think has not met since the late 80s, since 1989 - should be revived. It was agreed that it should meet at an early date. So, this would provide an umbrella within which a number of economic and trade related issues that the two countries have been talking about, we can take them forward in a much more focused manner.
As you know, we also have Joint Business Council that is between the private sectors of the two countries. It was agreed that the work of this Business Council should be further intensified.
As I mentioned to you, Commerce and Industry Minister was there. He referred to the establishment of the Joint Study Group at the Commerce Secretary level between the two countries which had already held its first meeting in February this year. This could be a mechanism to discuss promotion of trade between the two countries.
Reference was made to some of the obstacles which may be there to take the trading relationship forward. For example, the apprehension that the business community in Pakistan has about some non-tariff barriers or high tariff barriers that India imposes. We have said that, in fact, there are very few barriers that are there for this trade and we are prepared to sit down together with Pakistan and if there are any such barriers we are prepared to remove them.
In the context of developing our economic and commercial relations, the two leaders also discussed the important of transport linkages, infrastructure. In that connection, the possibility of opening more routes for trade between the two countries was discussed. This is something which will require more detailed discussion in the future. But, again I would like to stress here that the approach on both sides were very positive, was very forward-looking, a willingness to look at all these particular aspects of taking our relationship forward.
During the meeting we also conveyed to the Pakistan President that 156 Pakistani fishermen are to be released on the 19th of April. There are another 136 civilian prisoners who will be also released as soon as their travel documents have been received from the Pakistani side. The two leaders also agreed that as a humanitarian measure, if there are people who innocently stray across the border or the LoC, then we should in fact hand them over without too much ceremony on either side.
In the context again of developing our trade and economic relationship, Prime Minister also stressed the great benefits which could accrue both to India and Pakistan, if we were able to open the traditional transit routes through each other’s countries. He mentioned the fact that transit routes, for example, to Central Asia, to the Gulf, if normal flow of trade could be possible through these routes this would bring benefit not only to India and Pakistan but to the region of South Asia as well as to Central Asia and the Gulf. This was something that leaders of India and Pakistan should be looking at.
In this context the pipeline was also mentioned. It was agreed that this was a worthwhile project to pursue. In this context it was agreed that we would remain untouched with one another and engage in further discussions in order to realize this project.
I would also like to mention here that at the end of the talks, Prime Minister presented to President Musharraf a fine painting of the haveli in Delhi where President Musharraf was born and was brought up for the first few years of his life. This was accepted with great delight and pleasure by the Pakistani President.
I will stop here and I will be open to questions from your side.
Question: (In Hindi inaudible, about the CBMs in J&K)…
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Shyam Saran: Kashmir ke bhi jo CBMs hain aur baaki bhi CBMs hain, donon taraf se yeh baat kahi gayi hai ki koi aise CBMs nahin hain jo ki hum, jis pe ki hum dhyan dene ke liye taiyar nahin hain. To uski details jo kuchh hain voh work out karni padengi. Lekin jo humne kaha ki jo kuchh bhee hamare taraf se prastaav diye gaye hain, jo prastaav unke taraf se hamare pass aayehain, [Both sides have stated that there are no CBMs relating to Kashmirthat we are not ready to discuss. We may have to work out the details relatingto those, whether relating to the proposals made from Pakistan or by India] there is a readiness to positively look at all of them. The approach has been very forward-looking and also very positive.
Question: Did President Musharraf come out with any fresh proposals on Kashmir? Prime Minister also suggested some new ideas. Did he talk about any fresh proposals?
Shyam Saran: I am not aware of any specific proposals which have been made by either side in this regard apart from saying that this is a problem which needs to be dealt with. As I mentioned to you, I gave you the viewpoints which were expressed by both President Musharraf as well as by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, that there is a readiness to take this dialogue forward, to continue building up confidence and trust between the two sides, remain engaged. The process is important, let us see where it takes us.
Question: After Ms. Condoleezza Rice’s visit, this is the first formal meeting that has taken place between India and Pakistan. Was Iran pipeline discussed in this context?
Shyam Saran: Abhi to humne aapko bataya ki pipeline ke baare mein bhi baat-cheet hui aur yeh tay kiya gaya ki yeh project donon deshon ke hit ke liye hai, aur is pe aur baat-cheet honichahiye. [As I just said, the pipeline was discussed too and it was decidedthat this project is in the interest of both the countries and there should befurther dialogue on this]
Question: Can you elaborate on this?
Shyam Saran: Well, President Musharraf mentioned that the requirements of energy of Pakistan as well as India are such that pipeline from Turkmenistan through Afghanistan, Pakistan, India or from Iran, Pakistan, India and perhaps other possible pipelines as part and parcel of the economic development of both India and Pakistan as of the region, this is something that we ought to be thinking about, we ought to be discussing how to cooperate with each other. So, it was a broad discussion. At this level you do not go into negotiating details of these projects. But, overall as I mentioned to you, it was agreed that these are projects which are worthwhile pursuing and that we should remain engaged concerning them.
Question: What was General Musharraf’s response on opening of transit routes?
Shyam Saran: There was no specific answer to each and every one of these propositions. What I would like to convey to you is a sense that there was a very broad-based discussion of the importance of developing economic and commercial relations between the two countries, both bilaterally as well as part and parcel of a larger regional economic development. It is in this context that Prime Minister mentioned the importance of opening more routes across our borders, across the LoC, because transportation linkages are integral to any plan for development of economic and commercial linkages. So, in that context several of these plans were discussed – pipelines, road linkages, rail linkages. As I said, the point was made from our side that in the context of this broad economic and commercial development, naturally the easier it is to take goods from one place to another the benefit will be greater.
Question: Hurriyat Conference ke baare mein koi charcha hui? [Wasthere any discussion on the Hurriyat Conference?]
Shyam Saran: Hamare jaankaari mein to nahin hui. [Not as perour information]
Question: Did you discuss the issue of withdrawal of troops from Siachen?
Shyam Saran: What was discussed was the need to look at issues such as Siachen, Sir Creek, and see whether or not we can expedite, we can instruct the officials who are already engaged in discussions on these issues, that with a certain greater degree of urgency, with a certain greater sense of priority can we try and resolve these issues as early as possible. As you know, we are in the midst of the second round of our Composite Dialogue in which both Siachen as well as Sir Creek, apart from some of the other issues, are going to be taken up. We will make every effort possible in line with the directions given by the two leaders that we should try and find an early solution to these issues.
Question: You talked about a large number of points of convergence between the two sides. But what about the points of divergence? What did he say on Kashmir? What about Baglihar? What did he say when we raised the issue of terrorism?
Shyam Saran: On the issue of terrorism for example, I think what came out clearly from President Musharraf was that a point of convergence is already apparent from the fact that when the attack against Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service took place, Pakistan came out with an unequivocal condemnation of this act. At least, there is a sense that terrorism is something which can impact very adversely on this ongoing peace process, on this process which is bringing the people together and, therefore, there is a responsibility that we both have to try and make sure that terrorist elements do not derail this process.
As far as Baglihar is concerned, yes, there was a discussion about that. I think we have already discussed this before that there are certain apprehensions which Pakistan has. We have stated unequivocally, and this was repeated by Prime Minister, that we are committed to remaining entirely within the parameters which are laid down by the Indus Water Treaty. This Treaty is important to us. I think I mentioned yesterday also that this Treaty is important to us. For 45 years it has held. We certainly do not have any intention at all of harming the interests of Pakistan. Therefore, if there is a readiness to engage in further technical discussions on this issue to try and resolve it, we are prepared to do that.
On Kashmir, I think right at the beginning when I was making opening statement I mentioned to you the exchange which took place between Prime Minister and President. There is a recognition that yes, this is an issue which needs to be tackled between the two countries. But it is a complicated issue. It may take time to resolve. But in the meantime, as civilized countries we should try and make every effort possible to deal with whatever negative consequences there are of the existence of the Line of Control. I think there is a willingness on both sides in line with this approach, there is a willingness on both sides precisely to make life much easier for people residing on both sides.
Question: On the specifics of LoC confidence-building measures, is there going to be any Joint Statement in which specifics are going to be mentioned? The Prime Minister had also spoken about joint responsibility for this bus passengers. Would there be anything on that? And anything on increasing the frequency of the bus service?
Shyam Saran: I think the Joint Statement is currently being worked because the talks, as you know, have only ended a short while ago. So, there will be, in the Joint Statement, a reflection of some of the things that were discussed. Let us see how specific the references are. But, I think, some of the points that I have mentioned would be covered in the Joint Statement.
Question: On what PM spoke about the joint responsibility of the safety of bus passengers?
Shyam Saran: I am just trying to give you a general sense of what was discussed. That was a sharing of belief that, yes, the present positive trend in our relationship, the peace process between the two countries, the many positive things which are happening between the two countries, could be adversely impacted by the activities of terrorist elements. If this is something which is a shared perception on both sides, I think it is very clear that both sides will do everything possible, hopefully, to prevent that from happening.
Question: Was the issue of joint patrolling of the LoC discussed at all? On the terrorism issue, do you perceive a mind shift? In the last few days the Defence Minister has gone on record saying that the infiltration is still present. You say that General Pervez talked about the terrorism issue. You mentioned the statement which had come out of Pakistan condemning the terrorist attack on the Muzaffarabad-Srinagar bus service. Do you think there is a mind shift on the part of Pakistan on this issue?
Shyam Saran: I think we must go by what the facts are. What I am referring to is a statement which was made by President Musharraf condemning the terrorist incident which took place. In the talks between the two leaders there is a recognition that many positive things are happening in our relations; there is a greater degree of confidence, greater degree of, if not complete mutual trust, at least we are moving in that direction; and there is sense that incidence of terrorism can negatively impact on them.
