Pakistan Foreign Minister talks to Mukherjee on CBMs

New Delhi, June 27 : Foreign Minister of Pakistan Shah Mahmood Qureshi held talks with his Indian counterpart Pranab Mukherjee here today to take the peace process forward between the two countries.

The meeting was the second between Mukherjee and his Pakistani counterpart, since a civilian Government took power in Islamabad and comes ahead of a new round of peace talks scheduled to begin in July.

On his arrival here today on a four-day visit Qureshi said, "the ongoing peace process is central to peace, security and prosperity in our region."

Briefing media persons at a joint press conference after the talks, Mukherjee said that the two sides considered confidence building measures (CBM) along the Line of Control (LOC).

Qureshi said that the CBMs have been useful and there is need for more CBMs.

A senior Indian foreign ministry official had earlier said that the proposal to start a truck service to promote trade between Indian and Pakistani-administered zones of Kashmir "could get a push" at the talks.

The proposal has been languishing for months. He also said that other measures to improve confidence, including new bus and rail links between the two neighbours, would also be considered.

Mukherjee also said that the two sides discussed the proposed joint Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline.

Representatives of Iran, India and Pakistan will meet next month to discuss the building of a 7.4 billion dollars pipeline to transport natural gas from Iran to the subcontinent.

ANI