India, Pakistan Enter New Era of Bilateral Cooperation

In a significant development, Indian and Pakistani foreign ministers, Hina Rabbani Khar and S M Krishna, on Wednesday agreed to a new era of bilateral cooperation, marking a shift in their approach to peace and security. The statement comes after a series of meetings and talks between the two nations, with Khar emphasizing the need for a people-centred approach and a new generation of Pakistanis seeing things differently. India reiterated its commitment to fighting terrorism and eliminating it in all its forms, with both sides agreeing to strengthen cooperation on counter-terrorism.

Key Takeaways:

The talks between India and Pakistan have marked a new era of bilateral cooperation, with both sides committed to a people-centred approach to peace and security.
Pakistan wants to start a new chapter of amity with India, with President Zardari and Prime Minister Gilani committed to the peace process.
India and Pakistan have agreed to increase trade and economic cooperation, with the Commerce Secretary level talks held in Islamabad in April 2011 noting a mutually beneficial outcome.
The two Foreign Ministers will meet again in Islamabad in the first half of 2012 to review progress in the dialogue process.
The talks have focused on confidence building measures, Jammu and Kashmir, and other issues, with India and Pakistan agreeing to strengthen cooperation on counter-terrorism.
The Indian foreign minister, S M Krishna, has said that the talks are on track and have agreed that terrorism poses a continuing threat to peace and security.

Statistics:

166 people were killed and over 300 wounded in the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks.
The Indian foreign minister, S M Krishna, has said that the talks are on track and have agreed that terrorism poses a continuing threat to peace and security.
The Commerce Secretary level talks between India and Pakistan held in Islamabad in April 2011 resulted in a mutually beneficial outcome with regards to trade and economic cooperation.
The number of Pakistani athletes that received maximum applause during the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi last year is not mentioned in the article.
The number of people on both sides of the LoC who will benefit from the announced additional measures on cross-LoC travel and trade is not mentioned in the article.

Sources:

India Blooms News Service, New Delhi, July 27 (IBNS)