India committed to Composite Dialogue with Pak : E Ahamed

New Delhi, Mar 9: India today (Mar 9, 2006) reaffirmed its commitment to the Composite Dialoue Process with Pakistan in an atmosphere free from terror and violence and said that both governments should promote bilateral trade and economic relations for the mutual benefit of the people of the two countries.

Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahamed said in Rajya Sabha the government was aware that Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf had, at a press conference, at the World Economic Summit at Davos, said that unless India and Pakistan resolved to remove the irritants and solve disputes, permanent peace would never come.

Also, economic relationship may get hindered again in the future with the changed environment, according to Gen Musharraf.

''...India and Pakistan should promote bilateral trade and economic relations for the mutual benefit of the peoples of the two countries,'' Mr Ahamed said.

In reply to another question on prisoners, the Minister said there are 386 Indian fishermen and 162 civilian prisoners in Pakistani jails. However, Pakistan had acknowledged the presence of only 377 fishermen and 156 civilian prisoners.

Also, there are 74 Indian Prisoners of War (POWs) in Pakistan.

But Pakistan government does not acknowledge the presece of any POW.

The Minister said there are 59 Pakistani fishermen but no Pakistani POWs in Indian jails.

UNI