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India-Pakistan joint statement at Ufa shows signs of positive movement: Rajnath Singh

by IBNS 10 Jul 2015, 11:16 am

New Delhi, July 10 (IBNS): Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday said that India-Pakistan joint statement at Ufa, Russia showed signs of positive movement and both the countries engaging at different levels will hopefully open new possibilities.

Rajnath Singh said, "I welcome the decision taken by India and Pakistan to expedite the trial pertaining to 2008 Mumbai attack including additional information like providing voice samples. The India Pakistan joint statement is a step forward towards normalising bilateral relations, however the future outcome will be keenly watched.".

The Union Home Minister further added that the Meeting of the Director General, Border Security Force and the Director General, Pakistan Rangers will also help in stablising the situation at the India-Pakistan border.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif on Friday met on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Russia and came out with a joint statement signifying a big breakthrough in the relations as they also spoke jointly on terrorism condemning it and agreeing to discuss speedy Mumbai attack trial.
The move is seen as a paradigm shift in the stance of the Indian government led by the right wing BJP in New Delhi as the contentious Jammu and Kashmir issue was also not raised apparently since it did not find any mention in the joint statement by the foreign secretaries of the two countries.
 
The Statement read out by Foreign Secretaries of India and Pakistan in Ufa, Russia said: "The Prime Ministers of Pakistan and India met today on the sidelines of the SCO Summit in Ufa.The meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere.The two leaders exchanged views on issues of bilateral and regional interest."
 
Both leaders condemned terrorism in all its forms and agreed to cooperate with each other to eliminate this menace from South Asia.
 
They also agreed on the following steps to be taken by the two sides:
 
A meeting in New Delhi between the two NSAs to discuss all issues connected to terrorism.
 
Early meetings of DG BSF and DG Pakistan Rangers followed by that of DGMOs.
 
Decision for release of fishermen in each other’s custody, along with their boats, within a period of 15 days.
 
Mechanism for facilitating religious tourism.
 
Both sides agreed to discuss ways and means to expedite the Mumbai case trial, including additional information like providing voice samples.
 
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif reiterated his invitation to Prime Minister Modi to visit Pakistan for the SAARC Summit in 2016. Prime Minister Modi accepted the invitation.