Pranab suggests following civilisational links

Islamabad, Jan 14: Adding to the plethora of proposals for solving problems between India and Pakistan, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee today suggested following ''civilisational links'' for resolving the present ''crisis'' between the two countries.

Winding up his two-day official visit to Pakistan with a tour to the ancient city of Taxila, 40 km from here, the External Affairs Minister said both countries shared a common heritage which could bring them together and solve most of their problems.

''We share a common heritage. We share a common culture. And this commonality brings us together to resolve the present crisis in the spirit of understanding and amity...There is continuity from the past to the present which leads us into the future. If we do not forget that continuity, perhaps we shall find solutions to the present problems,'' Mr Mukherjee told reporters while taking a round of the ruins of the historic Taxila city.

Standing against the backdrop of the ruins of the ancient city that once was home to the great civilisation and Buddhist learning, which gave to the world scholars like Chanakya, the External Affairs Minister hoped that this continuity would brings both the countries together to resolve the present crisis.

Earlier in the morning, the External Affairs Minister told a delegation of Pakistani leaders from prominent political parties that a step-by-step approach was needed to resolve the outstanding disputes which have been there for the past 60 years.

In a breakfast meeting with leaders of prominent political parties at 'India House'--the residence of the Indian High Commissioner here--he said it was a reality that geographical boundaries could not be changed.

Pointing out the cooperation between Indian and Pakistani troops in the aftermath of the 2005 earthquake, Mr Mukherjee asked why could not the example be emulated in normal times.

Those who attended the meeting included Chaudhary Shujaat Hussain, former Prime Minister and President of the Pakistan Muslim League (Q), Mr Afsandyar Wali Khan, President Awami National Party, Mr Makhdoom Amin Fahim, Pakistan People's Party Parliamentary Leader, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Secretary General Muttahida Majlis Amal, and Dr Mohammad Farooq Sattar, Deputy Convenor MQM.

Mr Mukherjee was given a presentation by one of the participants on the famous Katasraj temple near Lahore which is being restored and developed by the Punjab (Province) Archaeology Departrment (PAD). He was told that a Pakistani Archaeologist would be sent to India to study various temples, including Pushkar in Rajasthan.

The External Affairs Minister, who arrived here yesterday on a two-day visit, held talks with his Pakistani counterpart Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri on various issues including Kashmir, terrorism, Siachen, Sir Creek and the fourth round of the Composite Dialogue Process (CDP).

Both the countries announced some major decisions, including liberalising the visa regime and setting up a committee of judges to find prisoners on both the sides.

Mr Mukherjee, who was here primarily to extend an invitation to Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz to attend the 14th SAARC Summit in New Delhi on April 3-4, also called on President Pervez Musharraf and discussed all the issues including ''difficult ones,'' officials said.

The meeting lasted 70 minutes.

Mr Mukherjee also met Mr Aziz and extended to him an invitation to attend the New Delhi SAARC Summit.

In the evening, Foreign Ministers of both the countries met for about three hours and reviewed the third round of the CDP and discussed holding of the fourth round.

They also discussed all the outstanding issues.

The visit, the first by the External Affairs Minister to Pakistan, is being viewed with satisfaction and described as ''successful'' even if no agreements were signed. Political analysts and media reports here for the past three days have held high hopes from the visit. There is considerable warmth in bilateral relations and positive rhetoric while both Foreign Ministers yesterday announced some major decisions to boost confidence.

In major decisions announced yesterday at a joint press conference after the meeting between the two Foreign Ministers, both countries agreed to hold the first meeting of the Joint Anti-Terror Mechanism by March end and complete the work for liberalisation of the visa regime by February.

The two countries also agreed to establish a Committee of retired judges on Prisoners who would propose humane treatment to prisoners and provide for expeditious release of those prisoners who have completed their jail terms.

It was also agreed to facilitate movement of Pakistani diplomats to Noida and Gurgaon in India and Indian diplomats to Taxila and Hasanabdal near here.

The two sides also agreed that several agreements, nearing finalisation, would be concluded during the visit of Mr Kasuri to New Delhi in February.

Mr Kasuri will visit New Delhi in February to attend the Joint Commission meeting.

The agreements include reducing the risk of nuclear accidents, speedy return of inadvertent Line Crossers and Prevention of Incidents at sea.

On Siachen, the two sides decided that the officials would meet at an early date to address the issue. They also decided to launch the fourth round of the Composite Dialogue Process (CDP) on March 13-14. The two sides also decided to direct their officials to expedite work on Sir Creek.

The two sides are conducting a Joint Survey of Sir Creek from tomorrow.

During his meeting with President Musharraf, Mr Mukherjee also raised the issue of Indian prisoners in Pakistani jails, especially the prisoners of 1965 and 1971 wars.

President Musharraf expressed ''understanding'' with the families of the prisoners of war (POWs) and said they would be permitted to visit Pakistan to locate their kin.

India says there are 74 such POWs of 1965 and 1971 wars who are in Pakistani jails.

''I am a soldier. I understand the feelings of such families,'' President Musharraf told the External Affairs Minister.

UNI