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Journalism of Courage
External Affairs Minister K. Natwar Singh today had a lengthy interaction with Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf, which touched upon all issues, including Jammu and Kashmir. Singh described the discussions, which lasted 90 minutes, as ‘‘warm, frank and realistic’’.
While Singh said both sides agreed on tackling terrorism with ‘‘renewed vigour’’, Musharraf called for a resolution of the Kashmir issue within a ‘‘reasonable timeframe’’.
Musharraf, who decided to switch the venue of the meeting at the last minute from the Presidential Palace here to the Army House in Rawalpindi, also talked about a ‘‘simultaneous’’ progress on all issues, particularly Kashmir, during the meeting. The process, he felt, should also translate into some ‘‘comfort’’ for the Kashmiris.
‘‘It was important to address this (Kashmir) issue with sincerity with a view to reaching a final settlement that accorded fully with the legitimate aspirations of the Kashmiris within a reasonable timeframe. It was also important to provide comfort to the Kashmiris as they had the most important stake in the success of the process,’’ a statement issued by the Pakistan Foreign Office said.
Though there was no response from India to Pakistan’s statement, Singh was said to have indicated to the media on arrival at Delhi that the two countries were not participating in a 100 metre race to set a timeframe.
Both sides, however, did re-emphasise their commitment to the ongoing peace process, with Singh stressing on the resolution of all issues through deliberations. ‘‘India and Pakistan are committed to discuss and settle all bilateral issues, including that of J-K, to the satisfaction of both sides,’’ he said before leaving Islamabad.
Singh, while emphasising the importance of a ‘‘sustained’’ and ‘‘steady’’ dialogue, said both sides agreed to continue the process in an atmosphere free of violence. ‘‘Both sides reiterated the importance of continuing the dialogue process in an atmosphere free of violence, and to tackling the scourge of terrorism with renewed vigour.’’
Musharraf also conveyed Pakistan’s commitment to the composite dialogue process, and underlined the need to address the ‘‘central issue’’ of J-K in this context. The External Affairs Minister, however, did not elaborate on the discussions on J-K or cross-border terrorism except for saying that India did share ‘‘information’’ on terrorism in J-K. ‘‘We shared what information we had. They are aware of our concerns,’’ he said. But Singh repeatedly stressed he had a healthy discussion with Musharraf and left out no bilateral issue.
