February 16, 2005
Joint Statement
"Both governments have agreed to allow travel across the LOC betweenSrinagar and Muzaffarabad by bus. Travel will be by an entry permit system, onceidentities are verified. Application forms for travel will be available withdesignated authorities in Srinagar and Muzaffarabad. The bus service is expectedto commence from 7 April 2005"
Statement by External Affairs Minister of India, Natwar Singh, at theJoint Press Conference, Islamabad
Natwar Singh: I have just concluded an extremely useful and intensivediscussion with my distinguished colleague and friend, the Foreign Minister ofPakistan. H.E. Mr. Khurshid Kasuri, I want to thank you for your hospitality.
2. Earlier in the morning, I had the privilege of calling on President ofPakistan, H.E. General Pervez Musharraf and the Prime Minister of Pakistan, H.E.Mr. Shaukat Aziz. In both these meetings, I had conveyed the greetings and goodwishes of the Prime Minister of India.
3. I have come to Pakistan for the first bilateral visit of the External AffairsMinister of India since 1989. I have also come at a stage in the present processbetween our two countries when significant positive developments have takenplace over the past one year. At the same time, it was also felt that continuedappropriate political interaction would inevitably impart further momentum tothe process.
4. I am happy to be able to share with you that we have been able to takeseveral significant further steps:
(i) We have agreed between us on mutually acceptable procedures for establishinga bus service between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad.
(ii) We have also agreed to look at a pipeline through Pakistan subject tosatisfaction of our concerns related to security and assured supplies;
(iii) We have instructed our officials that in the forthcoming series ofmeetings between now and July, agreements be finalized on Pre-notification ofMissile Tests, MOU between Indian Coastguards and Pakistan’s Maritime SecurityAgency, and MOU between Narcotics Control Authorities;
(iv) We have agreed between us to start a bus service between Amritsar andLahore, and also to agreed religious places such as Nankana Sahib and we haveinstructed our officials to immediately tie up the technical details;
(v) It was also agreed that discussion would be initiated on agreements on:
(a) Reducing Risk of Nuclear Accidents or Unauthorized Use of Nuclear Weapons;
(b) Preventing Incidents at Sea.
5. We have agreed to consider further measures to alleviate the situation ofcivilian prisoners and apprehended fishermen. I impressed upon His Excellencythe Foreign Minister of Pakistan the need to release the apprehended fishermenalong with their boats, and to expedite their return.
6. I also conveyed to my counterpart our readiness to start theKhokrapar-Munnabao rail link from October 2005, and requested Pakistan toexpedite their own preparations. We are continuing with our efforts for earlyre-establishment of our respective Consulates General in Karachi and Mumbai.
7. Both of us are looking forward to the first meeting of the Joint Study Groupon Trade and Economic Cooperation at the level of Commerce Secretaries scheduledfor February 22-23, 2005 in New Delhi.
8. As you can see, we have come a long way over the past year or so. As I statedyesterday, I am convinced that cooperation between our two countries is not justa desirable objective; it is an imperative.
9. My visit has reinforced in me the determination to continue working forexpanding cooperation and understanding between our two countries. The people ofboth our countries clearly desire it.
10. No doubt, we have differences between us. This is only normal given thehistory and complexity of our relationship. However, as leaders, it is incumbentupon us to find ways through which we can enhance trust and cooperation, so thatthe differences can be addressed more productively.
11. Of course, the process can be sustained only in an atmosphere free fromterrorism and violence, in the framework of implementation of commitment made onJanuary 6, 2004.
12. I have invited my colleague, the Foreign Minister of Pakistan to visit Indiato continue with these efforts. I look forward to welcoming him.
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Statement by Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Khurshid Kasuri at the JointPress Conference, Islamabad
Khurshid Kasuri: I had a useful exchange of views with His Excellency Mr.K. Natwar Singh, External Affairs Minister of India.
Talks were held in a cordial, frank and positive atmosphere.
We had the opportunity to constructively review the status of our bilateralrelations as well as the regional cooperation under SAARC.
We have agreed to work together for the early convening of the 13th SAARCSummit.
We have noted with satisfaction the over all improvements in atmosphericsbetween the two countries. We have taken positive steps that auger well for thefuture of bilateral relations. We are strongly committed to carrying forward theComposite Dialogue process to make it productive and fruitful.
We had discussions on the core issue of Jammu & Kashmir and have impressedupon the Indian government for an early and final settlement of the issue inaccordance with the aspirations of the people of Kashmir.
We discussed issues of Peace & Security. Pakistan expressed the hope thatboth the countries will be able to move forward to promote strategic stabilityin South Asia.
The Prime Minister of Pakistan has already instructed our Railway authorities toexpedite the early operationalization of Khokhrapar-Munabao rail link.
We hope that the Joint Study Group meeting at the level of the CommerceSecretaries to be held in New Delhi from 22-23 February 2005 will come up withrecommendations which will be mutually beneficial to both countries.
The Indian Government has agreed to lease a government-owned building and a plotof land in Mumbai for simultaneous opening of Pakistan’s Consulate at Mumbaiand Indian Consulate at Karachi.
We held discussion on the Siachen issue. It was agreed to direct the DefenceSecretaries of the two countries to discuss the issue in a friendly andcooperative manner. I hope that the issue will be resolved in accordance withthe understanding reached earlier.
The issue of detained fishermen and civilian prisoners is an humanitarian issue.We have agreed to work out a mechanism for their early release following asummary procedure. Civilian prisoners and detained children who have completedtheir prison term may be released at an early date.
We have noted with satisfaction the Indian decision to treat the Gas Pipelineproject as a stand alone project. We hope for the early finalization of anagreement.
We also held discussions over the Baglihar and Kishanganga projects. I impressedupon my Indian counterpart for an early resolution of the issues in accordancewith the Indus Water Treaty.
The two Foreign Ministers took note of the joint survey conducted by the twocountries on the Horizontal segment of the Blue dotted line in the Sir Creekarea and express the hope that the issue would be resolved at an early date.
The two sides have agreed to continue the Composite Dialogue process in positivespirit and for constructive results in addressing all issues including Jammu& Kashmir, Peace & Security, conventional and nuclear CBMs, trade andpeople-to-people contacts.
The President and the Prime Minister of Pakistan reiterated invitation to Dr.Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of India to visit Pakistan at the earliestconvenience.
