People's Democracy

On Resumption Of India-Pakistan Dialogue

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) issued the following statement on September 17, 2006

THE main outcome of the meeting between the Indian Prime Minister and the Pakistani President at Havana in the course of the NAM summit, is the decision to resume the composite dialogue between the two countries. This is a welcome and necessary step. The joint statement issued takes cognisance of the Mumbai train blasts and has decided on an anti-terrorism institutional mechanism “to identify and implement counter-terrorism initiatives and investigations”. The Pakistan government must be fully conscious that this is a necessary component to resume an advanced dialogue. The Indian people who want peace and friendship with our neighbour will expect Pakistan to act fully in implementing the anti-terrorism agreement.

The resumption of the composite dialogue beginning with the foreign secretaries talks should be able to address all the outstanding issues set out in the earlier joint statements. The CPI(M) is of the firm opinion that issues such as Siachen and Sir Creek can be resolved if sincere efforts are made by both sides. The issue of Jammu & Kashmir must also be addressed at the political level, for which both the India-Pakistan talks and the political dialogue with all the parties and groups in Jammu & Kashmir should be pursued. (INN)