Left welcomes govt's decision to resume talks

New Delhi, Sep 17: The Left parties today welcomed the government's decision to resume peace talks with Pakistan.

The CPI(M) in a statement here said the decision to resume the composite dialogue between the two countries, reached during the meeting between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf at Havana on the margins of the NAM summit, is welcome and a necessary step.

The joint statement issued takes cognisance of the Mumbai train blasts and has decided on an anti-terrorism institutional mechanism ''to identify and implement counter-terrorism initiatives and investigations''.

The Pakistan government must be fully conscious that this is a necessary component to resume an advanced dialogue. Indians who want peace and friendship with Pakistan will expect it to act fully in implementing the anti-terrorism agreement.

The statement said resumption of the composite dialogue begining with the foreign secretaries talks should be able to address all the outstanding issues set out in the earlier joint statements.

The CPI(M) is of the firm opinion that issues such as Siachen and Sir Creek could be resolved if sincere efforts were made by both sides. The Jammu and Kashmir issue must also be addressed at the political level, for which the India-Pakistan talks and the political dialogue with all the parties and groups in Jammu and Kashmir should be pursued.

CPI National Secretary D Raja while welcoming the initiative taken by Dr Singh and Gen Musharraf said the composite dialogue process should be carried forward in a meaningful manner.

He said ''There is no alternative to a dialogue. Only dialogue will help establish permanent peace between the two countries.''

UNI