Cautious optimism in New Delhi on the eve of Indo-Pak talks

February 24th, 2010 - 8:39 pm ICT by ANI  

By Naveen Kapoor

New Delhi, Feb.24 (ANI): On the eve of India-Pakistan foreign secretary level talks, New Delhi is cautiously optimistic over the outcome of the dialogue. The apparent trust deficit, which increased after Mumbai attack and further strengthened after the Pune blast is making India nervous about the fate of the Indo-Pak dialogue which begins tomorrow after a hiatus of more than 14 months.

Government sources here say: ” We are going to talk with open mind but are conscious of limitations imposed by the trust deficit post Mumbai.

However, sources have declined to pre-judge the outcome.

India is maintaining that future talks with Pakistan depend on what it does to stop terrorism. Highly placed sources have told ANI that India will try to clear the air on all the misgivings which has plagued the relations between the two countries.

Indicating the willingness to resume the full-fledged composite dialogue Government sources also said that New Delhi will seek to take first step even if small towards opening of the future dialogue”.

Pakistani Foreign Secretary, who arrived here on Wednesday, said that he is here to bridge the gap and expects a positive outcome of talks.

It is learnt that there will be no joint statement, which has remained in vague ingredient of Indo Pak dialogue before Mumbai attack.

The agenda of talks is not yet clear, India says that it will only talk terrorism and the action Pakistan has taken on the dossiers and proofs India has given in the wake of Mumbai attacks.

India is likely to hand over voice records of the 26/11 culprits and is also likely to raise the issue of violence against the Sikhs in NWFP.

Pakistan is expected to incorporate Kashmir and much hyped water issue with India.

Visiting Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir is already meeting several factions of Hurriyat leaders on Wednesday evening which includes Tehreek-e-Hurriyat chief Syed Ali Shah Gilani, Mirwaiz Omar Farooq and even Yaseen Malik ahead of the talks and is expected to extend a fresh invitation to them to visit Pakistan, said diplomatic sources. (ANI)

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