Off the wire
• China to revitalize northeast rustbelt  • Myanmar state counselor to lead domestic peace process  • Nine people arrested in Italy's anti-corruption operation  • Weather forecast for world cities -- April 26  • Weather forecast for major Chinese cities, regions -- April 26  • China remains major consumer of Vietnamese farm products  • 1st LD-Writethru: China Economic Information Service formally established  • Zimbabwe says to allow indigenous farmers in private wildlife conservancy  • News Analysis: Australian domestic politics costs Japan billion-dollar submarine contract  • 870 candidates to run for 500 seats in Vietnamese parliament in May  
You are here: 　 Home

India, Pakistan foreign secretaries meet in New Delhi

Xinhua, April 26, 2016 Adjust font size:

After months of delay and cancellation, the foreign secretaries of India and Pakistan Tuesday met in New Delhi in a bid to revive engagement.

Indian Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar and his Pakistani counterpart Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry held a meeting on the sidelines of a regional conference in Indian capital city.

"Their discussions were frank and constructive. Both sides raised issues of concern to them," a statement issued by India's External Affairs ministry said. "The two foreign secretaries exchanged ideas on taking the relationship forward and agreed to remain in touch."

The formal foreign secretary-level talks between India and Pakistan were cancelled in the middle of January this year, a day ahead of schedule, immediately after a deadly attack on Indian airbase at Pathankot in Punjab. The four-day gunfight ended with the killing of seven Indian troops and six gunmen.

Pakistan High Commissioner in New Delhi Abdul Basit recently said the peace process between India and Pakistan remains suspended, a statement rejected by India.

Tuesday's meeting was seen as resumption of stalled dialogue process between the two countries

"India's Foreign Secretary emphasized the need for early and visible progress on the Pathankot terrorist attack investigation as well as the Mumbai case trial in Pakistan," the statement said.

The Indian side blames Pakistan militant groups of carrying out Pathankot attack. Recently a joint investigation team (JIT) from Pakistan visited India to investigate the attack but said witnesses belonging to the Indian security forces were not produced before it.

India's National Investigation Agency (NIA) probing cases pertaining to counter terrorism and other security related matters is yet to seek permission to travel to Pakistan.

Pakistan's official broadcaster - Radio Pakistan quoting foreign office spokesman said "all outstanding issues including Kashmir dispute were discussed and the meeting provided a useful opportunity to exchange views on recent developments in bilateral context."

Officials said Indian foreign secretary have also sought consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav, a former Naval officer which according to Islamabad was arrested in Pakistan recently.

Relations between New Delhi and Islamabad often remain tense, primarily because of Kashmir, a divided territory, claimed by both countries. Since their Independence from British in 1947, the two have fought three wars, two exclusively over Kashmir.

Previous scheduled engagements between top officials for two sides often get cancelled over Kashmir.

A separatist movement and guerrilla war challenging New Delhi's rule is going on in Indian-controlled Kashmir since 1989. Gunfights between the two sides take place intermittently across the region. Endit