New Delhi: Foreign Minister S M Krishna will
visit Pakistan from July 14 to work out the modalities of
"restoring trust and confidence" in the relationship, thus
paving the way for a "substantive dialogue" on issues of
mutual concern.
In a brief statement announcing the three-day visit, the
External Affairs Ministry today said it is being undertaken
"in pursuance of the mandate given by the Prime Ministers of
India and Pakistan, during their meeting at Thimphu in April,
2010, to the Foreign Ministers and Foreign Secretaries of both
the countries to work out the modalities of restoring trust
and confidence in the relationship, thus paving the way for a
substantive dialogue on issues of mutual concern.
"Krishna will visit Pakistan from July 14-16, 2010 for
bilateral discussions at the invitation of Shah Mahmood
Qureshi, Foreign Minister of Pakistan," it said.
However, both the leaders have already talked about the
issues to be raised during the parleys, with Krishna making it
clear that he will talk about terrorism emanating from
Pakistani soil and Qureshi saying that he will harp on Kashmir
issue and alleged human rights violations there.
Krishna is expected to explore ways and means to reduce
the trust deficit between the two countries that has grown
since the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai.
"We would like to talk to Pakistan on a number of
concerns that we have. Of course, the primary concern would
continue to be terror which emanates from Pakistan," Krishna
has said.
The minister said that he would continue to talk about
terror and seek an update on the trial of those accused of
carrying out the deadly attacks in Mumbai in 2008.
Meanwhile, Qureshi has said Pakistan will raise the human
rights situation in Jammu and Kashmir with Krishna.
"We have raised our voice about human rights violations
there and we will continue to do so. When the Indian Foreign
Minister comes here soon, that will be the proper occasion to
direct his attention towards the incidents occurring in
Srinagar and the (Kashmir) valley," Qureshi has said.
However, Krishna has made it clear that law and order
cannot be questioned in the name of rights.
"If there are instances of human rights violations, there
are agencies within our own country which have been created to
ensure human rights protection. So, it can be looked into, but
law and order cannot be questioned in the name of human
rights," Krishna has said.
PTI
