Pakistani PM proposes mechanism for talks with India on terrorism

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Wednesday proposed that Pakistan and India should institutionalize the mechanism of meetings between national security advisors of the two countries to discuss matters related to terrorism. "It would help to allay the concerns of the two sides," the prime minister told the Indian High Commissioner in Islamabad. He expressed satisfaction over the calmness at the Line of Control (LoC), which divides the two countries in the disputed Kashmir region and where troops of both countries exchanged fire in recent months, but added that existing mechanism on LoC meetings need to be further strengthened. He said that the Director General Military Operations of the two sides should meet so that such occurrences do not happen in future. "I believe that sincere and constructive measures need to be taken to reduce tension on the LoC and to ensure that the ceasefire agreement of 2003 remains intact," the prime minister said. The two countries accused each other of violation of a 2003 ceasefire after troops along the LoC started firing in January this year. Several soldiers from both sides have been killed and the LoC escalation has caused diplomatic tensions. India had put a pause on the formal bilateral dialogue process following the Mumbai attacks that were blamed on the Pakistan- based "Lashkar-e-Tayyeba" group. India is now urging Pakistan to accelerate the trial of the several suspects Pakistan has arrested in connection with the Mumbai attacks. "My government is committed to improving relations with India. The normalization process must remain on track. We need to work towards setting aside the baggage of history, prevailing mistrust and lack of flexibility," Sharif said. He said he is convinced that both countries have no option but to normalize relations for the sake of peace and betterment of the two peoples. "All issues with India have to be dealt with peacefully and diplomatically through dialogue based on parity. We have no option but to live in peace and in the interest of the people of Pakistan and India," he said. He described as "very good" his meeting with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New York in September and stressed that both sides should continue to hold regular meetings and interactions at all levels as these will help the normalization of relations. In addition to expressing his will to enhance trade relations with India, Sharif said the two countries also need to increase people to people contact including visits of pilgrims. "This is an important confidence building measure," he stressed. While talking to a group of Islamabad-based foreign diplomats, the prime minister said as Afghanistan is entering into a critical phase, Pakistan is engaged, and remains committed, to support a peaceful and smooth transition in Afghanistan. "During my recent visit to Kabul, President Karzai and I had a most warm and friendly exchange of views on a whole range of issues. These included cooperation in facilitating an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned process of transition and reconciliation," he said.