Sushma Swaraj to make statement in Parliament on ‘comprehensive dialogue’ with Pak

The “Comprehensive Bilateral Dialogue” was announced in the Pakistani capital Islamabad by India’s Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj alongside Sartaj Aziz, Pakistan’s prime-ministerial adviser on foreign affairs.

“It was earlier known as “composite” dialogue, which later came to be known as “resumed” dialogue”. Among others, they include: confidence-building measures; the Jammu and Kashmir, Siachen Glacier and Sir Creek territorial disputes; and economic and commercial cooperation.

The two sides have “directed” their top diplomats “to work out the modalities and schedule of the meetings under the Dialogue”, a joint statement said. External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj made the announcement on Wednesday during her two-day visit to the country, adding that she would accompany Modi during his trip.

“India and Pakistan have chose to restart the Composite Dialogue”. “Our bilateral relations with Pakistan are important, and they’re going to continue to be important, not just with the military but with the elected officials as well”, he said.

“Sushma confirmed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Pakistan next year for the SAARC summit expected to be held in September 2016”, it said.

Swaraj’s visit here came days after talks between the National Security Advisors of India and Pakistan in Bangkok.

 Ms. Swaraj formally requested that India be accepted as a new member of the Afghanistan-Pakistan transit trade agreement, to enable the overland flow of Indian goods to the landlocked central Asian state.

India suspended secretary-level talks with Pakistan in 2014 after the Pakistani high commissioner to New Delhi met with Kashmiri separatist leaders.

Hailing the decision to hold comprehensive India-Pak dialogue, BJP today expressed hope that Pakistan shall not sabotage the efforts to bring peace in the subcontinent.

A hushed-up meeting between the National Security Advisors and foreign secretaries in Bangkok was followed by Swaraj’s visit to Islamabad.

On the agenda would be Kashmir and terrorism, two major areas of disagreement between the two countries, apart from other issues such as religious tourism and humanitarian issues, according to a joint statement.