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Posted Date: 9th September, 2012 Last updated at 00:00 PST

Indian Minister for external affairs S. M. Krishna expressing gratitude to people of Pakistan for a warm welcome has said India and Pakistan need to work closely together for bright future of their people.

Talking to media at Minar-e-Pakistan in Lahore on Sunday‚ he said that India wants to see Pakistan progressive and peaceful.

Krishna said that both the countries need to live together as good neighbours. He said that India is committed to build a relationship of trust and mutually beneficial cooperation.

He termed his visit to Pakistan as fruitful and said that various agreements signed during the visit will help in fostering cordial relations between the two countries.

Earlier talking to newsmen at Lahore on his arrival‚ he said that good mutual relations between the two countries will also help in bringing peace in the region.

He said that during this visit‚ he held useful meeting with Pakistani leadership including Foreign Minister‚ Hina Rabbani Khar.

Later talking to the Governor Punjab Sardar Latif Khosa and Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif‚ the Indian Minister said there is no alternative option for Pakistan and India except to live peacefully.

He underscored the need of continuity of dialogue process between the two countries because the long standing contentious issues cannot be resolved in one meeting.

He stressed upon the need to boost people to people contacts as the people of both countries are desirous to interact with each other.

Krishna said we can only choose friends‚ but have no choice to choose neighbours therefore both the countries should live in peace.

Krishna also visited mazar of Data Ganj Bakhash and Gurdwara Dera Sahib in Lahore on Sunday. Now he has left for India.

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Pakistan and India have reiterated to work together to resolving all issues peacefully and build relationship of trust and mutually beneficial cooperation.

The convergence came during talks between Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar and her Indian counterpart S M Krishna in Islamabad on Saturday.

Later‚ speaking at a joint news conference‚ the two Foreign Ministers expressed satisfaction over progress made towards normalization of relations.

Hina Rabbani Khar said Pakistan is committed to realize the immense potential of the process of normalization.

She said Pakistan believes that the two countries should build on convergences as part of its broader vision of foreign policy engagements.

She pointed out that Pakistan changed the position it held for forty years in terms of normalization of trade ties with India to send a very strong message that it is willing to forge ahead without being held hostage to the past position.

Hina Rabbani Khar said with determination and political will the two countries can address the issues of divergence including Jammu and Kashmir‚ Siachin and Sir Creek.

She emphasized that aspirations of Kashmiri people must be accommodated and quest for peaceful settlement requires that Kashmiris be associated in one way or other with the dialogue process.

The Foreign Minister said the two sides will abide by Indus Basin Water Treaty. Pakistan has invited India to look at the possibility of improving the implementation mechanism of the treaty‚ which has‚ by and large‚ served well.

She also referred to the missed opportunities in the past like the agreement forged by democratic heroes of the two countries - Shaheed Benazir Bhutto and Rajiv Gandhi - for resolution of Siachin dispute. She said Gyari tragedy in Siachi is glaring example of the lost opportunities. She said Pakistan is committed not to losing any opportunity and to creating new opportunities.

Hina Rabbani Khar said she told Indian Foreign Minister that there was need to make the dialogue process effective and productive.

Indian External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna said they were reasonably satisfied at the progress achieved in the last round of resumed dialogue. They are aware cognizant that there is a long way to go and the path will not be easy but they are committed to moving forward to writing a new chapter of peace and cooperation in their relationship.

Mr. Krishna said they have agreed that terrorism poses threat to peace and security and reaffirmed strong commitment of the two countries to fighting terrorism in an effective manner. He said Pakistan has reiterated its commitment to bring all perpetrators of Mumbai attack to justice.

He thanked President Asif Ali Zardari for ordering release of all Indian fishermen.

The Indian External Affairs Minister said the two countries have decided to convene separate meeting of the experts groups on nuclear and conventional confidence building measures in New Delhi in the second half of December this year.

They reviewed the existing cross-LoC CBMs on travel and trade.

Mr. Krishna said the two countries are looking forward to launching of next round of Secretaries level dialogue on all eight segments. Schedule for these meetings would be worked out through diplomatic channels but these would be held before next meeting of the Foreign Ministers in New Delhi next year.

Replying a question‚ S. M. Krishna said Indian Prime Minister has never put any condition to visit Pakistan. He said the visit will take place at an appropriate time when the atmosphere is ripe. He said on return I will report to the Prime Minister of my assessment of the situation and hoped that the visit would take place.

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A joint statement issued at the conclusion of talks stated that Pakistan and India have agreed to the need for continued discussions with a view to finding a peaceful solution of Jammu and Kashmir issue by narrowing divergences and building convergences.

The two countries have also agreed on several cross LOC confidence building measures.

The two Foreign Ministers agreed that cross LOC travel would be expanded on both sides of LOC to include visits for tourism and religious pilgrimage. Crossing for such visits will initially be from Chikothi to Uri and Rawalakot-Poonch crossing points.

The two sides agreed that list of twenty-one products of permissible items for cross-LOC trade will be respected by them.

The two sides discussed measures for promoting cooperation in various fields and cessation of hostile propaganda against each other.

They exchanged views on Siachen‚ Sir Creek and Wullar Barrage and agreed that there is need to effectively address these issues by finding mutually acceptable solutions. They also reaffirmed the importance of abiding by the provisions of the Indus Basin Treaty.

The Ministers firmly reiterated to adhere to the roadmap drawn by the two Commerce Ministries for full normalization of trade relations.

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Pakistan and India have signed new liberalized visa regime giving more concessions and simplifying the procedure with a view to promoting people to people contact and enhance trade and business activities between two countries. 

An agreement to this effect was signed in Islamabad on Saturday by Indian External Affairs Minister S M Krishna and Interior Minister Rehman Malik.

As per new visa regime‚ more concessions have been given to the businessmen from both the countries including multiple entry one year visa with exemption from the Police Report and with increasing the number of cities.

A new category of Group Tourist Visa has been introduced under which a group of 10 to 50 persons will get Group Tourist visa that will be valid for 30 days. It will be managed by the registered tour operators from both the countries.

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Diplomatic Visa valid for multiple entries will be issued within 30 days and it will be valid for the place and duration of assignment of the diplomats.

In the category of non-diplomatic visa‚ previously there was no mention of time frame and now under the new visa regime agreement it will be issued within a period of 45 days.

In the category of official visit‚ the visa will be valid for 15 days as compared to previous term of one month.

As for visitor's visa‚ there was single entry and validity was 30 days‚ for meeting with relatives‚ friends and businessmen but now it will be single entry to be issued for six months but stay will not exceed for three months and it will be for five places instead of current three places.

Pilgrim visas need to be applied at least 45 days before the commencement of the intended tour. The visa will be issued at least ten days before the commencement of travel.

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President Asif Ali Zardari has said Pakistan has abiding interest in the promotion of regional peace and stability that would only enable the people of the region to exploit enormous opportunities available in South Asia.

 

During his meeting with Indian External Affairs Minister S. M. Krishna‚ in Islamabad on Friday night‚ the President said that finding amicable and just solutions to resolve outstanding issues was important for both the countries to ensure lasting peace and stability in the region.

 

Briefing about the meeting Spokesperson to the President Senator Farhatullah Babar said that the President emphasized that it was time for the two countries to move beyond reiteration of their positions to more substantive results.

 

The President said that showing greater understanding of each others' concerns and sensitivities would help in the solutions of the mutual issues.

 

The President reiterated his call for the two countries to make determined efforts for friendly‚ cooperative and good neighborly relations‚ treading the path of productive and result-oriented dialogue.

 

President Zardari said that multifaceted cooperation between the two countries was imperative for the socio-economic development of the people and to cope with the common challenge of terrorism.

 

He said that terrorism was a common enemy afflicting both the countries.

 

The President also said that the two countries must not allow the derailment of normalization process.

Indian External Affairs Minister said that his country desired good relations with Pakistan and wanted to work together in coping with the common challenges and issues.

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Indian External Affairs Minister S. M. Krishna along with his delegation called on President Asif Ali Zardari in Islamabad on Friday evening.

Bilateral ties and different matters including economic cooperation were discussed during the meeting.

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Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf has expressed the confidence that relationship between Pakistan and India will improve and move forward as we have set a direction.

 

He was talking to Indian Minister for External Affairs S. M. Krishna who called on him in Islamabad on Friday evening.

 

The Prime Minister said that the visit of the Indian Minister of External Affairs is of great importance as the people of both the countries desire good relations.

 

The Prime Minister said no doubt Kashmir‚ Siachen‚ Sir Creek and other issues need to be resolved but we need to have a positive approach to resolve these issues.

 

He said that there is a political consensus in Pakistan over having good relations with India.

 

The Prime Minister said that terrorism is a common enemy of both the countries. The Prime Minister said‚ Pakistan is a frontline state in the war of terrorism and has suffered enormously.

The Prime Minister extended an invitation to the Indian Prime Minister to visit Pakistan.

 

The Indian External Affairs Minister said that the revival of the Joint Ministerial Commission between the two countries after six years will send a strong message that we mean business.

 

Krishna said that India is committed to the stability‚ peace and prosperity of Pakistan. He said that he agreed with the assessment of the Prime Minister that the present atmosphere between the two countries is good.

 

Indian Minister informed the Prime Minister that there was a lot of goodwill among the people of India for the people of Pakistan. 

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Indian Minister for External Affairs S M Krishna has said that his country wants to see Pakistan stable and prosperous State.

Responding to questions by newsmen in Islamabad on Friday he said a positive change is visible in Pakistan-India relations.

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Pakistan and India Foreign Secretary-level talks were held in Islamabad on Friday.

 

Foreign Secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani and Indian Secretary External Affairs Ranjan Mathai led their respective sides.

 

Both the foreign secretaries discussed agenda for on Saturday's talks between the Foreign Ministers of the two countries.

 

Talking to newsmen after talks‚ Foreign Secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani said Kashmir is an important issue for Pakistan besides the issues of water distribution and Siachen.

 

He said both India and Pakistan should resolve their problems through dialogue. 

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A PML (Q) delegation headed by Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed met Indian External Affairs Minister S. M. Krishna in Islamabad on Friday.

 

The Senator emphasised that meaningful and result oriented talks should be held on core issue of Kashmir‚ Siachin and Sir Creek.

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An MQM delegation‚ led by Dr. Farooq Sattar‚ called on visiting Indian External Affairs Minister S M Krishna in Islamabad on Friday.

 

The delegation included Waseem Akhtar‚ Nasreen Jalil and Tahir Mashhedi.

 

Dr. Farooq Sattar emphasized the need for opening of consulates in Karachi and Mumbai. He also called for making the visa procedure easier.

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An ANP delegation‚ led by Senator Muhammad Adeel also called on the Indian Minister for External Affairs.

The ANP leader emphasized the need for resolution of all outstanding issues between the two countries through dialogue.

 

 

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