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NEW DELHI - India and Pakistan Thursday ended two days of peace talks, vowing to keep their dialogue on track despite renewed tensions over the alleged role of Pakistani ‘state actors’ in the Mumbai attacks.Pakistan Foreign Secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani categorically rejected the allegations regarding role of Pakistani state agencies in the 26/11 carnage and offered a joint probe into the incident.At a joint news conference at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi, Jilani said: “I would very strongly reject any insinuation of any involvement of any state agency in acts of terrorism in India.““If we keep accusing each other that will be of no benefit, and we will not find any result,” he warned. Jilani insisted that nothing should be allowed to prevent the peace process going forward. “There should be absolutely no setback, because a setback is something we cannot afford,” he said.Speaking on the occasion, Indian foreign secretary Ranjan Mathai stressed that bringing those guilty for the Mumbai carnage to justice ‘would be the biggest confidence-building measure of all’.The talks covered terrorism, confidence-building measures and the South Asian rivals’ core territorial dispute over divided Kashmir. But charges arising from India’s recent arrest of Syed Zabiuddin Ansari alias Abu Jundal, suspected of being a key handler for the Mumbai attackers, clouded the secretary-level parleys.Mathai, who described the talks as ‘purposeful and forward-looking’, said that Pakistan could do more on the investigation of the attacks. He said India has handed over information to Pakistan side about Abu Jandal. “We shall pursue this matter to its logical conclusion,” Mathai said of the Indian investigation of Ansari’s testimony.Mathai said the two sides discussed ways to strengthen peace and stability in the region. The Indian foreign secretary said he also agreed to continue talks on resolving Kashmir issue. However, Mathai emphasised that the arrest of LeT terrorist Abu Jundal and his ongoing interrogation has added urgency to bringing perpetrators of 26/11 to justice.“The foreign secretaries are mandated to discuss among other things peace and security, including CBMs. It is in this context that foreign secretary Jilani and I discussed all issues that impact peace and security between our two countries, including terrorism, Mathai said.“I emphasised terrorism is the biggest threat to peace and security in the region and bringing the guilty to justice in Mumbai terror attacks would be the biggest confidence-building measure of all,“ Mathai added.
Jilani said “Whatever evidence India has should be shared with us and we will investigate the matter. We are even willing to offer joint investigation into the whole affair but finger-pointing won’t help,” said Pakistan’s Jaleel Abbas Jilani.He said that terrorism was a joint problem for the both the South Asian countries and the region, adding that Pakistan and India should not blame each other for the terrorism.
Jilani however said his talks with Mathai on peace and security, CBMs, Jammu and Kashmir and promotion of friendly exchanges have been substantive. “Both the countries face threat of terrorism. We should intensify our cooperation,” he said.Asked if Jundal’s revelations will impact the positive strides the bilateral ties have made so far, Jilani said, “We hope not. There should definitely be no setback because setback is something we are not for.”Mathai and Jilani said both countries recognise that terrorism poses a continuing threat to peace and security in the region. The two top civil servants in their respective ministries did admit that differences remain over the Mumbai attack investigations but said they would meet again in Islamabad to pave the way for foreign minister-level talks in September.A joint statement issued following the parlays said: “They (the secretaries) reaffirmed the strong commitment of the two countries to fight and eliminate terrorism in an effective and comprehensive manner so as to eliminate the scourge in all its forms and manifestations.”It also said the foreign secretaries had a “comprehensive exchange of views on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir and agreed to continue discussions in a purposeful and forward looking manner with the view to finding a peaceful solution by narrowing divergences and building convergences.”“The talks were held in a frank and constructive atmosphere. Both sides reiterated their desire to carry forward the dialogue process in a purposeful and result- oriented manner,” it said. The two countries also pitched for a constructive dialogue to promote greater trust and mutual understanding.On the ongoing implementation of the already adopted nuclear and conventional CBMs, both the sides decided that separate meetings of the expert level groups on nuclear and conventional CBMs will be held.These meetings will discuss the implementation and strengthening of the existing CBMs and suggest additional mutually acceptable steps that could build greater trust and confidence between the two countries, thereby contributing to peace and security.The joint-statement also said that a meeting between the foreign ministers of India and Pakistan was now scheduled for September. Indian External Affairs Minister SM Krishna had to defer his Jul 18-19 visit to Pakistan due to the presidential elections scheduled around the same time.“We are looking for some time in the first half of Sept for me to visit Islamabad before the UN General Assembly,” Krishna told reporters in New Delhi. “There is some problem with reference to the dates. We had decided on Jul 19 as the date for me to travel to Pakistan. But we did not realise that the polling for the presidential election would be on the same day,” he said. “It has become incumbent on my part to be in India as part of the electoral college,” Krishna said, adding that the Pakistani side has been informed about the need to work out alternate dates.Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said that there have to be ‘suitable outcomes’ for his undertaking a visit to Pakistan. In an interview to Hindustan Times, Singh said he was looking forward to visiting neighbour Pakistan, though there have to be ‘suitable outcomes’ for such a visit.


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