Preventing Risks: India, Pakistan Sign Nuclear Pact      
'Pakistan Times' Foreign Desk

NEW DELHI (India): India and Pakistan on Wednesday signed an agreement to reduce the risk from accidental use of nuclear weapons.

The agreement on reducing the risk from accidents relating to nuclear weapons was signed by K C Singh, Additional Secretary in External Affairs Ministry and his Pakistani counterpart Tariq Osman Hyder.

The agreement was signed after a Joint Commission Meeting co-chaired by External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee and his Pakistani counterpart Khurshid M Kasuri.

Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri and his Indian counterpart Pranab Mukherjee addressed a joint press conference.

Kasuri told the press conference that the two sides have progressed over the Sir Creek issue. Director Military Operations of Pakistan and India would meet to discuss Siachen dispute, he further said.

Kasuri said that steps being taken for return of Pakistanis injured in the Samjhota Express incident. He said that the two countries should learn lesson from such incidents. He hoped that Pakistan would be informed about the investigations of the tragic incident.

He said that the next round of bilateral peace talks will be held on March 13, 14 in Islamabad.

India also assured Pakistan that it would make every effort to bring the perpetrators of Samjhota Express blasts to justice.

"The Government of India will make every effort to bring to justice these perpetrators of this heinous act," External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said.

Mukherjee said that holding of joint commission meeting reaffirmed the commitment of the two countries to carry forward the dialogue process.

Commitment to Peace

Pakistan and India reaffirmed their commitment to take the dialogue process forward to ensure peace and security in the region.

After a Joint Ministerial Commission meeting, Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri and his Indian counterpart Pranab Mukherjee told a news conference that the Commission has reaffirmed commitment to and discussed all aspects of the composite dialogue process.

The meeting examined possibilities for cooperation in the areas of education, information, IT and telecom, health agriculture, tourism, science and technology and environment.

Foreign Minister Kasuri said he had suggested that before the next meeting of the Commission, the meetings of sub-groups should take place much earlier, so that when foreign ministers meet they have their input before them.

The two foreign ministers also discussed Kashmir, Sir Creek, Siachen and other issues.

Answering a question about making Siachin a “mountain of peace”, the India External Affairs Minister said various proposals had been received and these were being considered.

Kasuri said Pakistan and India would hold fresh talks on troop pullout from Siachen. “We have both agreed that the directors general of military operations will meet; we have suggested some dates,” he added.

“I spoke to his excellency (Mukherjee) about that (Siachen glacier) and as soon as the dates are agreed we will be very happy for that meeting to take place,” Kasuri said.

The Indian External Affairs Minister said discussions on the Siachen issue had taken place both at the civil and military level and Pakistan had suggested another meeting at the military level. “The date will be sorted out later,” he said.

Regarding prisoners, he said it was decided that there was need to rise above partisan considerations and take up the issue purely on human rights basis.

Kasuri said, “We agreed last time that we nominate retired judges of superior judiciary to tackle this issue as they have the capacity and training to rise above all considerations and only think in humanitarian terms.”

He said he had handed over the names of four judges from Pakistan on Wednesday to the Indian side and the Indian external affairs minister also had some names with him.

Kasuri expressed the hope that judges would definitely provide relief to under-trial prisoners in both the countries. He said the judges would be allowed to visit prisons in each other’s country and help facilitate the early release of those who have completed their sentences.

Kasuri, in his brief statement at the joint press conference, condemned the tragic incident on the Samjhota Express.

He said it was unfortunate that the meeting of the Joint Ministerial Commission was preceded by the horrendous tragedy that struck passengers who were travelling from Delhi to Atari on their way to Lahore.

Kasuri said the heinous crime underlined the need for bilateral cooperation. He said the meeting of the joint anti-terror mechanism, which is to meet in Islamabad next month, would take cognizance of the incident.

He said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, in a telephone call to Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, had stated that India would share the results of the investigation with Pakistan.

Expressing sympathies with the people who lost their relatives, Kasuri said, “Our hearts go out to those who suffered and the relatives of those who died.”

“I would like to place on record our appreciation for the services of the doctors. I personally visited the hospital yesterday and the doctors really were taking good care of the patients, “ said Kasuri.

He said the Pakistan government made all the arrangements for the relatives to travel to India, adding that the Indian government promised and extended support to those who would like to come here to either identify the dead or to meet with those who were injured.

Kasuri said the Pakistan government has also made arrangements for taking back the injured.

Replying to a question about constituting joint investigative team to probe the blasts on Samjhota Express, the Indian external affairs minister said as per law of the land, the investigation will be carried out by Indian authorities.

Conveying his heartfelt condolences to the victims, Mukherjee said the Indian government is making all efforts to identify the dead and to give succour to the bereaved families.

The government of India will make every effort to bring the perpetrators of this heinous act to justice, Mukherjee added.

Mukherjee said at the fourth meeting of the Commission in October 2005, eight technical level joint working groups on agriculture, health, science and technology, information, environment, tourism, education and IT and telecommunications were constituted.

Complementing the leaders of the working groups on both the sides for their commendable efforts, he said the working groups have identified the areas of cooperation. The reports of the working groups were presented at the Joint Commission meeting and discussed in detail, he added.

Mukherjee expressed the confidence that the Joint Commission’s deliberations will lead to greater bilateral cooperation and provide a structural basis for improving the relations between the two countries.

He said both the foreign ministers also reviewed the progress in the bilateral relations since they last met in Islamabad on January 13 this year.

During the meeting it was noted that the joint survey of Sir Creek was progressing smoothing. The meeting also noted the resumption of Thar Express from February 17.

Mukherjee expressed the hope that the meeting of the joint anti-terror mechanism in Islamabad on March 6 will be meaningful. He said the fourth round of composite dialogue to be launched by the Foreign Secretaries in Islamabad on March 13-14 will promote bilateral relations further.

Mukherjee said he had handed over a list of the relatives of the Indians prisoners of war who wanted to visit Pakistan in coming April.

He said the institutional anti-terror mechanism is to for sharing information and to act on that information. Therefore it is appropriate that whatever information will be available, both the countries will share it.

Answering a question about tourism visa, Mukherjee said some discussion on the issuance of visas had taken place during his visit to Islamabad.

“We have received the draft from Pakistan and we are examining it. We want to revive visas and encourage tourism” he said, adding that the working group has also made certain recommendations in this regard.

Kasuri said with a view to promoting tourism, he has proposed that railway authorities of the two countries should interact to learn from each other’s experiences and take measures to prevent a tragedy like the Samjhota Express incident in either country.

“I am sure the meeting of anti-terror mechanism will also have an opportunity to look at the incident,” Kasuri added.

In order to sustain the peace process “we must ensure that the safety of visitors of both countries is ensured to the maximum possible level,” Kasuri said.

Kasuri Meets Manmohan

Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri here Wednesday called on Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and discussed bilateral relations including the Kashmir, Siachin and Sir Creek issues.

During the hour-long talks, which also included an one-on-one meeting, they discussed peace process and underscored the need to carry it forward.

Indian Prime Minister offered condolences and expressed his sympathies for the victims of Samjhota Express blasts.

Breakfast with Advani

Earlier, Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri had a breakfast meeting with L.K Advani, opposition leader in the Lok Saba here on Wednesday. They discussed Pak-India relations and the ongoing peace process between the two countries.

Kasuri said last night that peace process between Pakistan and India needs support of opposition and media in both the countries.

And, speaking at a dinner hosted by Pakistan High Commissioner Shahid Malik Tuesday night, he hoped the opposition and media to help taking the peace process forward for establishing lasting peace in South Asia.

The Foreign Minister said governments in both the countries should not be blamed for hiding anything, rather there should be positive response to their moves to resolve outstanding issues including the core issue of Kashmir.

"Both the countries are struggling to reach some solutions which can not be made public at this stage".

Pointing out that President Pervez Musharraf had already declared to secure win-win situation for Pakistan, India and Kashmiries.

Earlier, welcoming the Minister Shahid Malik, Pakistan High Commissioner, said the visit has attained special significance in the wake of blast in Samjhauta train.

Among the distinguished guests who attended the dinner were two former Indian Prime Ministers I. K Gujral, V P Singh, Union Minister Mani Shankar, diplomats, editors of the leading dailies, intellectuals and elite of the city.

FO on Process

And in Islamabad, Foreign office Spokesperson Ms Tasneem Aslam Wednesday said the peace process between Pakistan and India was continuing in positive direction.

In a telephonic interview, she said both the countries have agreed to cooperate in various fields including agriculture, education, environment,IT, science and technology.

Both the countries would also exchange respective expertise with other country.

Terming the Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri's meeting with LK Advani successful as both the leaders had discussed peace process initiated during the era of BJP government.

She expressed the hope that BJP would continue to support the peace process.

Kasuri holds talks with Vajpayee

Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid M Kasuri on Thursday held discussions with former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on a wide range of bilateral issues.

Former External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha and former National Security Advisor Brajesh Mishra were also present at the meeting at Vajpayee's residence here.●