Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar has said that Pakistan seeks good relations with all its neighbours, including New Delhi. Hina expressed these views while briefing the National Assembly on Tuesday regarding her recent visit to India and ministers' level talks, held in New Delhi last month.
"We want to build trust with countries like India and Afghanistan and begin a new era of co-operation," she said. "Pakistan wants result-oriented and uninterrupted dialogue with India in conducive environment. We want to create a conducive environment in which the two countries could talk about core issues, including Kashmir and move towards their resolution. The minister said that during her meeting with her Indian counterpart SM Krishna, she talked on Sir Creek, Siachen, Wullar Barrage, water, terrorism and Kashmir.
She said that Pakistan raised the water issue and emphasised on need for respecting Indus Water Treaty. She said that Pakistan also conveyed India that it is keen to seek progress on Siachen and Sir Creek issues which are do-able. She said that both countries agreed to uphold the sanctity of Indus Water Treaty.
The Foreign Minister said that during her stay in New Delhi, she met with Kashmiri leaders including Syed Ali Shah Gilani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and assured them that Pakistan remains committed to its political and legal position on Kashmir and continues to support their (Kashmiris) cause. Hina said that the lingering issue of Kashmir should be resolved peacefully in according to the wishes of Kashmiri people. She added that Pakistan's continued support to associate true representatives of Kashmiri people through dialogue process with India on Kashmir.
Hina Rabbani said both the countries agreed to convene separate meetings of expert groups on nuclear and conventional CBMs in Islamabad next month. She said that they also agreed to resume work of Pakistan-India Joint Commission. Pakistan also conveyed its desire that it wants meaningful and result-oriented engagement on Kashmir and that serious consideration should be given to associate APHC with Pakistan-India dialogue.
She said that two countries agreed to enhance the existing facilities for travel and trade across Line of Control. She said the Indian sides conveyed concerns over terrorism and the Mumbai trial case while both the sides agreed to hold separate meetings of experts on nuclear and conventional CBMs in Islamabad in September 2011.
The minister told the house that a joint working group would explore new avenues of co-operation between the two countries in various fields. Hina said Pakistan India Joint Working Commission and reconvening of dialogue process was an important step as the commission worked only there where the interaction was normal between the two countries.
She said that both the countries expressed satisfaction over resumption of dialogue and assured their full co-operation for good ties with each other. She said that Pakistan believes that in security, harmony and prosperity as it is indispensable for peace in South Asia.