#NewDelhi / #Islamabad : India and Pakistan are expected to hold their foreign secretary-level talks in Islamabad on January 15 2016 ,to discuss modalities and schedule for various items under the Composite Dialogue that was re-launched at the Foreign Minister level meeting in the Pakistani capital earlier this month.
Authoritative sources here informed on Saturday that Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar is expected to visit the neighbouring country to discuss modalities for the Composite Dialogue process and that the meeting could take place on January 15 in Islamabad.
The issue of Foreign Secretary level meeting was discussed between the two PMs when Narendra Modi made a stopover in Lahore on Friday on his way back from Kabul to Delhi — a trip that had taken everyone by surprise. It was the first Indian PM level visit to Pakistan since 2004. #NarendraModi later tweeted that he was moved with warm hospitality of Pakistan PM Mr Nawaz Sharif and it was an occasion of joint celebration — #NawazSharif birthday and marriage of his grand-daughter.
“Please come, you are our guest. Please come and have tea with me.” This is what #NawazSharif said when his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi called him from Kabul and asked if he could halt in Lahore on his way home. Modi telephoned Sharif after having visited Russia and when he was still in Afghanistan to greet the Pak PM #NawazSharif on his birthday. That is when Sharif decided to be a host, The Nation newspaper from Pakistan claimed on Saturday.
Pakistani news channel Geo TV claimed in its report: “The two leaders reportedly discussed a range of bilateral issues, including Kashmir.”
Briefing reporters after Modi’s departure from Lahore on Friday night, Pakistani Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry said, “It was a goodwill visit and the two sides decided to understand each other’s reservations and restart the comprehensive dialogue in a positive manner.”
The Pak foreign secretary revealed that during the brief meeting, the two PMs decided that as a part of the comprehensive dialogue, the foreign secretaries of the two countries will meet in mid-January.
Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Qazi Khalilullah also said that both prime ministers agreed to enhance cooperation and work together to establish good neighbourly relations. Sources here stated that the Indian PM #NarendraModi emphasized on the necessity of peace in the region during his meeting with #NawazSharif and the visit created a positive atmosphere for the future engagements,
In the joint statement issued at the end of #SushmaSwaraj meeting with Pak Foreign Affairs adviser Sartaj Aziz on December 8 it was decided that the two sides would commece a Comprehensive Bilateral Dialogue to discuss security, Confidence Building Measures (CBMs), Jammu & Kashmir, Siachen, Sir Creek, Wullar Baragge/Tulbul Navigation Project, Economic and Commercial Cooperation, Counter- Terrorism, Narcotics Control, Humanitarian Issues, People-to-People exchanges and religious tourism. The Joint Statement had also mentioned that the two Foreign Secretaries would meet to discuss the schedule and modalities of the dialogue.
The two NSAs would discuss the critical issue of cross-border terror, according to the joint statement.
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