Pakistan, India agree to continue dialogue process
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Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Indian Foreign Minister S. M. Krishna Thursday agreed to continue the bilateral dialogue process to restore trust and confidence.
The two foreign ministers expressed satisfaction over the outcome of the three-hour talks, which covered hosts of key issues including terrorism, investigation of the 2008 Mumbai attacks and Kashmir.
Speaking at a joint press conference they vowed to continue dialogue process and to take confidence building measures.
The Indian External Affairs Minister invited his Pakistani counterpart for another meeting in New Delhi and the Pakistani Foreign Minister accepted the invitation and will visit India later this year.
"We had very useful exchange of views on several issues," Krishna told the news conference. He said that he has also secured assurance from Pakistan to check infiltration of militants into the Indian-controlled Kashmir from Pakistani side of Kashmir.
The Indian Foreign Minister complained that infiltration into the Indian-administered Kashmir had been increased over the past two years and that India had been closely monitoring the infiltration.
Pakistani foreign minister said that the issue of increased infiltration was discussed and he categorically reiterated that infiltration is not policy of the government of Pakistan.
"We have said that if there are individuals who cross over the Line of Control, deal with them firmly and Pakistan will cooperate," Qureshi said.
He said there is a mechanism to deal with the infiltration and that he suggested that Director General Military Operations should talk on weekly basis to take up the issue.
Qureshi assured the Indian foreign minister that Pakistan will not allow its soils to be used against India and also requested the Indian Foreign Minister to ensure that Indian soils should also not be used against Pakistan.
The Indian foreign minister denied his country's involvement in the situation of Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan province and said that Pakistan has not provided any evidence to India about the alleged involvement. He said India does not want destabilization of Pakistan as it is not in the interest of India itself.
Krishna also met Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani, who insisted on the revival of the bilateral dialogue process known as Composite Dialogue. He will hold meetings with Pakistani political leaders on Friday.
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