In a major breakthrough in India-Pakistan relations, the two South Asian neighbours today chose to resume their stalled bilateral dialogue on all outstanding issues, including counter-terrorism and Jammu and Kashmir, after New Delhi extracted an assurance from Islamabad that it would expedite trial in the 26//11 Mumbai attack case.
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India and Pakistan have agreed to resume high-level peace talks following a meeting between their foreign ministers, the first positive turn in ties after three years of disagreements over restarting the talks and cross-border firing incidents.
Sushma Swaraj and Sartaj Aziz condemned terrorism and resolved to cooperate to eliminate it.
India and Pakistan have been busy conducting active diplomatic exercises to reset their bilateral policies.
He said it was also decided that terrorism would be discussed by the two national security advisers as part of this comprehensive bilateral dialogue.
In her speech, Indian Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj focused on increased connectivity, regional trade and openness with Afghanistan, and also “extended India’s hand towards Pakistan” in this regard.
“We want to see the discussions continue, so we’re encouraged by the recent dialogue between India and Pakistan”, State Department Spokesman John Kirby told reporters at the daily press briefing on Wednesday. “Both sides have agreed to talk on all unresolved issues on the table”, Swaraj said, adding that the foreign secretaries of both sides would meet soon to discuss the modalities and schedule of the proposed meetings.
Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the last Indian Prime Minister to visit Pakistan who had come here in January 2004 and attended the SAARC summit besides holding talks with then Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf.
Pakistan does not allow Afghan trucks to reach India and carry back Indian goods.
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Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj is greeted by Indian and Pakistani officials upon her arrival at the military Nur Khan airbase in Rawalpindi on December 8, 2015.
