Thaindian News

New Delhi, July 27 (IANS) Highlights of the joint statement issued following a meeting between Indian External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna and visiting Pakistani Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar:

* Terrorism: The two countries agreed to fight and eliminate this scourge. They expressed satisfaction on the holding of meetings on counter-terrorism, including progress on the Mumbai trial.

* Nuclear CBMs: They attached importance to promoting peace and security, including confidence-building measures and agreed to convene separate meetings of the expert groups on nuclear and conventional CBMs in Islamabad in September.

* Kashmir: They agreed on the need for continued discussions, in a purposeful and forward looking manner, with a view to finding a peaceful solution by narrowing divergences and building convergences.

* Cross LoC trade and travel: Travel across the divided Jammu and Kashmir will be extended on both sides of the Line of Control to include tourism and religious pilgrimages. The number of trading days enhanced from two to four per week.

* Mutual trade: They emphasized the importance of early establishment of a non-discriminatory trade regime between the two countries, including reduction or removal of tariff and non-tariff barriers.

* Other issues: The ministers agreed that discussions will continue on Siachen, Wullar barrage navigation project and Sir Creek to find a mutually acceptable solution to these issues. They reiterated their commitment to seeking early and amicable solutions to all these issues.

Khar and Krishna agreed to the continuation of the dialogue process and to the convening of a series of secretary-level meetings to resolve all the issues and promote friendly exchanges. Dates of all these meetings will be decided through diplomatic channels and will be held prior to the next ministerial meeting.