Dialogue increased trust between Pakistan, India: Hina

Declaring the Pak-India talks positive, candid and constructive, Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar said on Thursday that the dialogue’s biggest achievement was reduction in the trust deficit between the two neighbours.
Upon her return from India after the much-hyped Pak-India foreign ministers’ talks, Khar told a press conference at the old Lahore airport that both countries were sticking to their points of view but the process of dialogue should be continued as an uninterrupted, constructive and positive dialogue process was vital to resolve all outstanding issues and normalise relations between Pakistan and India.
DIALOGUE LOSES CREDIBILITY – Stressing upon the importance of continuing the dialogue, she said an uninterrupted and result-oriented dialogue could lead both countries and the whole region towards peace and prosperity. “The dialogue process with India should continue uninterrupted and loses credibility when it is interrupted,” she emphasised.
Khar said the establishment of the Pak-India joint working group was a great development in the current talks. Showing eagerness to overcome the challenges being faced by both countries in restoration of normal relations, Pakistan and India agreed to move ahead on the path of peace, she said. She said Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh accepted her invitation to visit Pakistan, which was a very encouraging sign.
Expressing satisfaction with the Pak-India talks, Khar said that reciprocating to Pakistan’s wish to see India as a stable country, India also wanted Pakistan to be a stable neighbouring state. Flanked by Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir, Khar said she and her entourage had a detailed discussion on all outstanding issues with the Indian leadership, including the core issue of Kashmir.
She said talks were in Pakistan’s interest as Singh assured that India wanted to resolve all issues, including Kashmir, and was willing to go the extra mile. Khar said she had made it clear to the Indians that Kashmir was an integral part of Pakistan and no peace efforts could succeed until a permanent solution to the conflict was found. She said regional peace was vital to the progress of both countries.
The foreign minister said she also had meetings with the Kashmiri leadership, and these meetings were disliked by many in New Delhi, but the Indian leadership also showed willingness to have meaningful dialogue. She also said the trail of the Mumbai bombing accused should be expedited.