Manmohan, Zardari vow to continue Composite Dialogue

The talks between Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari, on the side lines of the 63rd UN General Assembly, ended with a positive note as both the leaders agreed to resume peace talks along with several confidence building measures.

Acknowledging some constructive result of the four rounds of the Composite Dialogue which brought the people and business ties closer, both the leaders agreed to work further towards an early and full normalisation of relations on the basis of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and non-interference.

Earlier, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh congratulated Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari on his election and the victory of democracy in Pakistan. He expressed hope that the new democratic set up would pave way for a profound transformation of the bilateral relationship, so that both the neighbours could work together on their shared goals of peace, prosperity and security.

Both sides agreed that violence and terrorism have no place in the vision they share of the bilateral relationship, and must be “visibly and verifiably” prevented. Hence, they declared that forces which tried to derail the process must be defeated and severe action would be taken against elements directing or involved in terrorist attacks.

During an hour-long talk between both the leaders discussed on various issues including a fifth-round of Composite dialogue between the foreign secretaries of the countries; expansion of people to people contacts through trade, commerce and economic cooperation; and a stabilisation of ceasefire along the border.

Moreover, on India’s allegation of the role of Pakistan intelligence agency in the attack on Indian embassy in Kabul, both countries decided to convene a special meeting of the Joint Anti-Terror Mechanism in October this year to address the grievances.

As far as mutual trade relation is concerned, both sides settled to open the Wagah-Attari road link and the Khokrapar-Munabao rail route to all permissible items of trade. Beside, leaders also announced to begin the cross-LoC trade on the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad and Poonch-Rawalakot roads on October 21, 2008.