Islamabad and Delhi a "new chapter" opened in Indo-Pakistani history
Gilani and Singh meet on the sidelines of the summit of SAARC nations. During the meeting, which lasted an hour, they discussed various issues including the dispute over Kashmir. For both it was a "positive step". A series of talks between the two governments planned for the near future.
Islamabad (AsiaNews / Agencies) – The Prime Minister of Pakistan and his Indian counterpart have launched a "new chapter" in diplomatic and trade relations between the two countries. Yusuf Raza Gilani and Manmohan Singh speak of "positive step" at the end of the hour-long face-to-face meeting held today in the Maldives, on the sidelines of the summit SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation). The two leaders also announced a series of meetings scheduled in the near future - although the dates have not yet been decided on - which should be "more constructive" in the interests of peace and development in the region.
The talks between India and Pakistan were suspended in the aftermath of the attack to the hotel in Mumbai November 26, 2008, which killed 165 people. Delhi has accused Islamabad of hosting the extremists in Pakistan and a lack of commitment in the fight against Islamic terrorism.
However, since the first months of 2011 there has been an improvement in diplomatic relations between the two countries, culminating in a unanimous vote earlier this month in which Islamabad has granted India the commercial status of "favored nation". Yesterday, the foreign ministers confirmed that their mutual "the lack of trust" is greatly diminished.
The archipelago of the Maldives, in the Indian Ocean, is home to the 17th SAARC summit, formed by the governments of India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan and Maldives. Today, on the sidelines of the summit, the meeting between Gilani and Singh was held during which they discussed, among other topics the dispute in Kashmir, the scene of a decades-long conflict.
The Indian prime minister stressed that "in the past, we've wasted a lot of time in a fierce debate" and added: "This is the time to write a new chapter in the history of our relationship." His Pakistani counterpart Gilani, of the same opinion, stated that the new series of meetings "will be more positive, more constructive and open a new chapter in the history of both nations."
The talks between India and Pakistan were suspended in the aftermath of the attack to the hotel in Mumbai November 26, 2008, which killed 165 people. Delhi has accused Islamabad of hosting the extremists in Pakistan and a lack of commitment in the fight against Islamic terrorism.
However, since the first months of 2011 there has been an improvement in diplomatic relations between the two countries, culminating in a unanimous vote earlier this month in which Islamabad has granted India the commercial status of "favored nation". Yesterday, the foreign ministers confirmed that their mutual "the lack of trust" is greatly diminished.
The archipelago of the Maldives, in the Indian Ocean, is home to the 17th SAARC summit, formed by the governments of India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan and Maldives. Today, on the sidelines of the summit, the meeting between Gilani and Singh was held during which they discussed, among other topics the dispute in Kashmir, the scene of a decades-long conflict.
The Indian prime minister stressed that "in the past, we've wasted a lot of time in a fierce debate" and added: "This is the time to write a new chapter in the history of our relationship." His Pakistani counterpart Gilani, of the same opinion, stated that the new series of meetings "will be more positive, more constructive and open a new chapter in the history of both nations."
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