Pakistan to Resume Dialogue with India on Kashmir and Water Disputes

Strategic Insights -

Pakistan's Prime Minister, Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, has begun taking the country's political leadership into confidence on India's offer for foreign secretary-level talks. The talks, scheduled to take place on February 25, 2010, in New Delhi, aim to resolve long-standing issues between the two nations, particularly the Kashmir and water disputes. The Prime Minister has directed the Foreign Secretary to approach the talks with a result-oriented and meaningful mindset, insisting that the talks should not be limited to terrorism and should revive the composite dialogue process under the Sharm-el-Sheikh declaration.

Key Takeaways:

  • Pakistan's Prime Minister, Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, has initiated talks with the country's political leadership to discuss India's offer for foreign secretary-level talks.
  • The talks, scheduled to take place on February 25, 2010, in New Delhi, aim to resolve Kashmir and water disputes between Pakistan and India.
  • Foreign Secretary-level talks will be held to raise all core issues and impress upon India the need for the expeditious resolution through the resumption of composite dialogue.
  • The Prime Minister has directed the Foreign Secretary to approach the talks with a result-oriented and meaningful mindset.
  • Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman, Chairman of the Kashmir Parliamentary Committee, emphasized the importance of addressing the Kashmir issue in the composite dialogue with India.
  • The Indian government's invitation to resume dialogue was reviewed in an inter-ministerial meeting, and it was decided to resume talks with India.
  • Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi informed Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman that Pakistan would provide a written response to India's offer for foreign secretary-level talks within a few days.

Statistics:

  • The talks between Pakistan and India will take place on February 25, 2010.
  • The composite dialogue process will be revived under the Sharm-el-Sheikh declaration.
  • The Kashmir issue will be given priority in the composite dialogue with India.

Sources:

  • Balochistan Times, February 12, 2010
  • Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani
  • Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman, Chairman of the Kashmir Parliamentary Committee
  • Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi