Sushma Swaraj to make statement on India-Pakistan developments on December 14

Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit said that he was hopeful that India and Pakistan would meet in the finals of the ICC World T20 in Kolkata on April 3 next year.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will make a statement on her recent talks with Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Foreign Minister Sartaj Aziz in Islamabad and related issues, in Parliament on Monday.

India and Pakistan have agreed to a Comprehensive bilateral dialogue to discuss security, Confidence Building Measures (CBMs), Kashmir and other issues. First, the two leaders met for barely 120 seconds. “Such was the chill in Indo-Pakistan relations”, he pointed out. “We will be very happy if cricketing ties resume and this will lead to better relations between the two countries”, he had added to the media. There will be forces in Pakistan as well as in India who do not want talks. “Mere mention of our neighbour’s name is like holding up a red rag to a raging bull. I am absolutely confident that Nawaz-Modi meeting will soon produce some positive steps in breaking the deadlock”, he said.

“India and Pakistan are prepared for talks”.

The Pakistan High Commissioner further said that just like India, Pakistan is too trying to tackle the terrorism menace.

He said that Bangkok (talks) wiped out all traces of unnecessary squabble.

“We hope Pakistan will stand for us”.

During the visit, Swaraj and Aziz had “condemned” terrorism and “resolved” to cooperate to eliminate it.

According to the joint assertion launched by each nations, the discussions will contain peace and safety, Jammu and Kashmir, Siachen, Economic and Commercial Cooperation, Counter-Terrorism, Humanitarian Issues, People to People exchanges and non secular tourism.

“They have named it as “comprehensive dialogues” and it can be hoped that its significance will be proved”, he said.