Thaindian News

Islamabad, Feb 11 (IANS) Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari Thursday hoped for result oriented talks with India, saying the stalled composite dialogue should also resume.
“We want meaningful and result oriented talks. Kashmir and Kashmiris cannot be sidelined and no headway can be made by ignoring them,” Zardari told Pakistani High Commissioner to India Shahid Malik, Online news agency reported, quoting sources.

Malik called on Zardari to brief him on the Indian proposal for secretary-level talks. The meeting reviewed in detail the Indian offer and matters relating to the Pakistan-India dialogue process.

Zardari also expressed the hope that after the restoration of the composite dialogue, Pakistan and India would move forward on settling all pending issues, including Kashmir.

New Delhi has suggested two dates - Feb 18 or Feb 25 - for talks between the foreign secretaries of India and Pakistan, saying that while the focus would be on countering terrorism, other matters of mutual concern could also be discussed.

Pakistan, however, has been insisting on the resumption of the composite dialogue process that India suspended in the wake of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, which New Delhi blames on Pakistani terrorists. Pakistan has accepted that part of the Mumbai conspiracy was hatched on its territory.

India says it is premature to talk about resuming the dialogue at the present moment and has made it clear to Pakistan that the proposed foreign secretary-level talks are part of “a step-by-step incremental approach” and that Islamabad should “do more” to address New Delhi’s concerns over cross-border terror.