India, Japan agree to set up group to
enhance economic ties

VIENTIANE (LAOS), Nov 29: India and Japan today agreed to set up a multi-disciplinary group to enhance economic ties focussing on trade, investment and information technology.

The decision was taken at a meeting here between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Japanese counterpart Junichiro Koizumi, Secretary in the External Affairs Ministry Rajiv Sikri told reporters here adding its composition would be "carefully" decided.

Officials said the group was likely to be set up in early 2005 and is expected to have public and private sector officials to handle ways to increase amount of bilateral trade and investment.

Koizumi said the proposal to have a joint grouping of India, Japan, South Korea and China for economic cooperation should be pursued.

Restructuring of the UN Security Council also came up for discussion during the meeting between the two leaders on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit and both sides supported each others’ membership for the council, Sikri said.

The Japanese Prime Minister told Singh that Tokyo was watching with great interest the economic progress in India and said his country would like to have enhanced cooperation in various fields.

Singh, who also separately met with Laos President Khamtay Siphandone and Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, said Japan had helped India in many areas in a "generous" way and he was of the view that much more could be done.

The progress of Delhi metro project also figured during the meeting, Sikri said.

The issue of India and Singapore signing an economic cooperation agreement covering free trade came up for discussion during Singh’s meeting with the Singapore Prime Minister.

The most important aspect of the interaction was the ongoing negotiations between the two sides on giving a final shape to the economic cooperation agreement, Sikri said, adding the meeting was held in "enormous cordiality."

"This appears to be progressing very satisfactorily and the negotiations could be over in two weeks and the agreement could be signed sometime next year," he said.

Singh will be attending the third India-ASEAN summit tomorrow during which a long-term partnership document for peace, progress and shared prosperity would be signed.

This would not only ensure "brilliant future durable cooperation" but set out the directions of India’s ties with the ten-nation grouping in the coming decade.

Officials said that the Prime Minister is hopeful that India-ASEAN trade which currently stood at 13 billion US dollar would be trebled and reach 30 billion dollar mark by 2007.

Expressing happiness to see India’s progress and prosperity, Loong said Singapore has as many as 1,400 Indian information technology companies’ regional headquarters and India could take advantage of his country which is regarded as "gateway to ASEAN".

Singh conveyed to him that Singapore has a special place in India and "we should take advantage of the many complementarities for our future."

To a question whether the rules of origin were coming in the way of signing of the economic cooperation agreement between India and Singapore, Commerce Secretary S N Menon said that these were expected to be accepted by both sides.

The ‘early harvest programme’, a part of agreement to be signed next year, is already operational and there were no hiccups, he said.

During his meeting with Lao President, Singh assured him that India would extend all assistance in different sectors particularly training and projects.

His interaction came a day after he had parleys with Lao Prime Minister Bounnhang Vorachith who strongly supported India’s claim for a permanent seat in the UN Security Council.

Asked whether counter-terrorism figured in the discussions, Sikri said this did not come up. "We are bilaterally and collectively working to deal with it," he added. (PTI)

14 injured in two grenade blasts
Two civilians die in ‘army firing’, internal inquiry ordered

Excelsior Special Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Nov 29: Two civilians were killed and another wounded when army soldiers allegedly opened fire on protesting civilians in a Budgam village during cordon and search operation today. While the Defence spokesman said that "it was a cross fire" incident, villagers maintained that army troopers directly fired at protesters.

Meanwhile 14 people including three women were injured in two grenade blasts in Srinagar City today.

Informed sources in central Kashmir told the Excelsior that troops of Rashtriya Rifles 35 Battalion cordoned Hushroo, Dangarpura village in Chadoora area of Budgam district this morning. The search party asked the civilian population to come out of their homes and assemble at one place in the village.

According to eyewitnesses, soldiers picked up caretaker of the local mosque, Abdul Gaffar Dar and allegedly started beating him up. These eyewitnesses said that people strongly objected to his beating and raised slogans against army. They even started pelting stones on them.

Eyewitnesses further said that soldiers reacted with opening fire on the protesting villagers, critically wounding three people. They said that even as three villagers had sustained bullet injuries, soldiers continued thrashing people with batons and their gun buts. They even alleged that people were not allowed to attend the injured civilians.

According to these eyewitnesses on seeing the three civilians in pool of blood army lifted the cordon and ran away from the village. Later the injured were rushed to different Srinagar hospitals where two of them identified as Farooq Ahmed Wani, son of Abdul Majid and Ghulam Hassan Magloo, son of Ghulam Ahmed, both residents of Hushroo succumbed to their injuries at the SKIMS, Soura and SMHS Hospital respectively.

Eyewitnesses said that at least one more dozen people sustained injuries due to stampede and thrashing by soldiers. Even after the cordon was lifted, people continued with protests and raised pro-Azadi slogans. They were also raising slogans against the Army and coalition Government.

Meanwhile, Army has ordered an internal inquiry into the firing incident in a Budgam village while suspending a Subedar of RR 35 Battalion and attaching 20 soldiers including a captain with the Battalion Headquarters here this evening.

Highly placed official sources disclosed to the Excelsior that army authorities suspended a Subedar of RR 35 Battalion identified as Mangay Ram, who was part of a search party in Hushroo village where two civilians were killed and another injured in a firing incident.

According to these sources another army officer identified as Captain G Singh and 19 other soldiers were attached to their Battalion Headquarters. An internal inquiry has also been ordered into the incident.

A Defence spokesman at the Army’s 15 Corps Headquarters said that Army had a specific information about the presence of militants in the village.

"Militants opened fire on the search party which was retaliated and in the ensuing cross firing three civilians were injured," the defence spokesman said.

The spokesman pointed out that he had information of only one civilian had succumbed to injuries in hospital.

The routine bulletin of J&K Police mentioned: "today in a firing incident at Hushroo, Chadoora three civilians sustained injuries who were hospitalized. Two of them namely Farooq Ahmed, son of Abdul Majid and Ghulam Hassan Magloo, son of Ghulam Ahmed, R/o of same village later succumbed to their injuries.

Reports from Baramulla said that people today took to streets and protested against alleged high-handedness of army soldiers during a cordon and search operation at Hakabarah in Sumbal area. The villagers were alleging that forces thrashed several people without any rhyme and reason during the operation.

Meanwhile, 14 people were injured in two grenade blasts in Srinagar City today.

Reports said that unidentified militants hurled a hand grenade over a police party near Bisco School in historic Lal Chowk at around 1045 hours this morning. However it missed the intended target and exploded with a big bang on the roadside. Twelve people including a police constable Zahoor Ahmed sustained splinter injuries. The injured including two girls as well were evacuated to SKIMS, Soura and SMHS Hospital.

In yet another similar attack militants tossed a grenade towards a bunker of CRPF 37 Battalion in Bohrikadal area of Old Srinagar City this afternoon. The grenade exploded near the bunker in which a CRPF trooper, Dulha Bhai and a pedestrian woman Zaiba, wife of Ghulam Mohammed Mir, resident of Rajori Kadal got injured.

A local news agency CNS reported that hitherto unknown militant group, Al Khandaq claimed the responsibility of the twin grenade attacks.

Opening of Sialkote, Muzaffarabad, Skardu roads proposed
Centre outlines 9-point strategy for J-K

NEW DELHI, Nov 29: Carrying forward its peace process, the Centre today outlined a nine-point strategy that included initiation of dialogue with all groups in Jammu and Kashmir, especially those which shunned violence, to achieve the twin-objective of peace and development in the militancy-hit State.

The other salient features of this strategy include promotion of interaction with people of Pakistan and pursuing of opening of Jammu-Sialkot, Uri-Muzaffarabad and Kargil-Skardu roads, a Home Ministry Spokesman said here.

While Sialkot is in Pakistan, Muzaffarabad is capital of Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir and Skardu lies in the northern areas controlled by Islamabad.

"This would help people-to-people contacts and open up trade," he said.

The strategy was finalised following Home Minister Shivraj Patil visit to J and K earlier this month during which he met a cross-section of the people there, the Spokesman said.

As part of the measures, communication equipment, gadgets, weaponry and ammunition and training in skills and technology for security forces and intelligence agencies would be upgraded.

Besides initialising a dilaogue with all groups in J and K, especially those which eschewed the path of violence, the strategy talked about accelerating economic development, promoting culture, tackling unemployment and public grievance, avoiding human rights violation by security forces and intensifying involvement of media in the process of reconstruction in the State.

On accelerating economic development, the spokesman said the Centre would ensure "balanced" development of the three regions of J and K— Jammu, Kashmir valley and Ladakh.

This would also include expediting completion of infrastructure projects-railways, roads and power, fuller implementation of schemes for development of agriculture, horticulture, tourism, trade, handicrafts and industries with emphasis on provision of basic necessities like drinking water, education, healthcare, woman empowerment and creation of employment opportunities.

The strategy would also focus on preserving and promoting cultural uniqueness of J and K.

Another key area would be creating employment in J and K by raising additional battalions of India Reserve Battalions, Central Paramilitary Forces and Army from remote and border areas of J and K to prevent alienation of the youth.

On avoidance of human rights violations, the spokesman said prompt and transparent enquiries, strict action against offenders, reiteration of instruction and training on humane behaviour by security forces will be undertaken.

There would be "intense involvement of media in the process of reconstruction," he said.

Patil had paid a three-day visit to J and K from November six along with Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and top officials. (PTI)

New doctrine for tackling militants: Vij
Special forces being reoriented: Pranab

NEW DELHI, Nov 29: Stressing that India proposes to have a "potent minimum nuclear deterrence to back its conventional detterence", Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee today said the special forces would be reoriented and given the task of dealing with counter-proliferation threats.

The "go ahead" has been given to increase the number of the special forces and plans entail totally reorganising them for mandate vis-a-vis unconventional warfare, counter-proliferation, special reconnaissance, psychological operations and other specialised tasks, he said.

Lauding the special forces for an impressive record in the counter-insurgency operations, Mukherjee said the reorientation had to be undertaken as emerging international threats pointed towards possibilties of nuclear and biological weapons falling into terrorist hands.

Inaugurating a two-day seminar on ‘special forces’, organised by Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS) here, the minister said though India is committed to a "no first use" of nuclear weapons, "we are also clear that conventional deterrence must continue to be backed by a potent minimum nuclear deterrence capability".

Though Mukherjee did not indicate the exact number to which the special forces would be increased, senior army officers said as per the plans the strength might be increased to 10-15 battalions in phases while re-equipping them with more firepower and other state-of-art weapons and gadgets.

Mukherjee said "special forces are force multipliers. They can enhance the nation’s ability to fight a limited war. Special forces are ideal for combating terrorists and insurgents".

The nation needs them not merely to make better infantry, naval or air units, but as a comprehensively structured unit for a full spectrum capability — a total force of quality officers and soliders trained and ready for war, he said.

The special forces face two major challenges — regarding integration with conventional forces, civil authorities and international agencies, and at the same time having autonomy necessary to protect and encourage their unconventional approach, the minister said.

Mukherjee’s remarks assume significance and point towards the possibility of more international engagements of this hush-hush elite force.

The country’s special forces made a departure when they participated in joint exercises with the US special forces recently in jungle, high altitude and sea manoeuvres.

Asserting that funds would not be a constraint, Mukherjee said special forces would be equipped with latest military equipment vis-a-vis fire power, communication and night vision.

Army Chief General N C Vij, who was also present, said special forces have excelled in all sorts of operations and specialised tasks and were operating in Jammu and Kashmir and the North-East. Time has come to formulate a doctrine for them, he added.

"We are drawing up a special forces doctrine and have already prepared a draft doctrine on the manning patterns for these forces," he said.

"Special forces are a great institution, excelling in all types of operations, specially in the war against terrorism. Terrorism, these days, is another way of fighting a war and we are facing this on our western borders," he said.

Observing that an increase in the number of SF should not be undertaken in haste, the Army Chief said they had taken this step after a great deal of thought and noted that proper attention had to be paid to their organisation, structure, training and equipment.

"We should not take recourse to this unthinkingly. There was a great deal of deliberation before we took this decision," he said.

Gen Vij also underscored the need to evolve ‘jointness’ in this regard and said the seminar could help in this regard.

"We have a special interest in jointness. Togetherness is not only required but inevitable and will act as a major force-multiplier," he said.

The Army Chief said the seminar should consider all aspects of SF operations in the Indian context.

"What the Americans did in Iraq or what someone did in Afghanistan as of interest but not specially relevant to our context. We have to examine their functioning according to our perspective," he said.

The recently-released army war doctrine contains a full chapter on the special forces, postulating their use in ‘seek and destroy’ missions, including trans-border targets, during Low Intensity Conflict Operations (LIPO).

‘Seek and destroy’ missions, including trans-border operations, are listed as missions for the special forces during LICO, while "strategic and tactical surveillance of vital targets, early warning of enemy activity in depth areas, denying strategic or operational assets and terminal targeting by precision munitions" comprise their tasks during war, according to the doctrine.

The SF, who are versatile, have a deep reach and can make precision strikes at targets of critical importance, can be used for hostage rescue and anti-terrorist operations during peacetime. (Agencies)

Issuance of PRCs to Pak nationals
HC directs DC Poonch to appear in person

Excelsior Legal Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 29: In a much publicized case of issuance of State Subject Certificates to nine Pakistani nationals, including one Zulfikar Ali, who was given mandate by Janata Dal (S) in last Lok Sabha elections from Jammu-Poonch seat, Justice YP Nargotra of the State High Court today directed Deputy Commissioner (DC) Poonch to appear in court in person to explain position alongwith the entire record and files pertaining to these certificates.

Mohd Shafiq, Mohd Shakur, Zulfikar Ali, Iftikar Ali— all sons of Fakkar Din of village Salwah, Mendhar, Nasim Akhtar, Akseer Akhtar, Shazia Kosar and Khalida Tabasum— all daughters of Fakkar Din have been issued Permanent State Subjects by DC Poonch, despite the fact that they are alleged to be the Pakistani nationals.

Earlier, the High Court had observed in this case that Permanent Resident Certificates (PRCs) have been issued to Pakistani nationals and the Court on September 17, 2004 had directed DC Poonch to hold enquiry regarding the status of private respondents within a period of six weeks and submit the report immediately thereafter.

Justice YP Nargotra today stated that in view of the seriousness of the matter, it appears that neither such enquiry has been conducted nor any such report produced before the court. The Justice directed Registry that a copy of this order be furnished to Additional Advocate general Anil Sethi for ensuing its compliance.

This significant order in which the High Court directed DC Poonch to appear in person alongwith the record of issuance of State Subjects to Zulfikar Ali and his brothers and sisters, was passed on a petition filed by ex-servicemen Mohd Alam Baddar Din and Mohd Shamim of Mendhar Poonch through Advocate MR Qureshi, in which it has been alleged that the private respondents came to India on Pakistani passport on the basis of the visa for a specific period in 1983. Initially, the parents of the private respondents had migrated to Pakistan in 1947, came back to india in 1957 and again migrated to Pakistan in 1965. Further, most of the private respondents were born in Pakistan.

Advocate Qureshi appearing for the petitioners submitted during the course of arguments that the private respondents including the father and mother approached the High Court declaring them as permanent residents of Jammu and Kashmir. This petition was, however, dismissed on August 17, 1990 and thereafter, DC Poonch and SDM Mendhar issued these certificates to private respondents which he said, were not valid.

IED defused near Mehbooba’s rally venue

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 29: Army and Doda police today averted a major tragedy by detecting and defusing a powerful IED near village Ambar on Goha-Marmat road in Doda district from where PDP president Mehbooba Mufti was originally scheduled to cross this morning. However, her schedule was changed last minute and she was flown to Goha by a helicopter from Batote.

Official sources said the powerful IED was detected at 8 am by a joint patrol party of Army and police and defused by a Bomb Disposal Squad at 10.30 am safely.

Ms Mufti landed safely at Goha and addressed a rally there. She also addressed a meeting at Ambar and later left for Bhaderwah by helicopter where she stayed for night.

Troops of 11 Rashtriya Rifles and Doda police today destroyed a hideout of the militants at Somdhar in Kastigarh area of Doda district and recovered a large quantity of explosive material, ammunition and currency of Pakistan and Indonesia.

However, no arrests were made from the hideout.

Sources said the explosive material recovered from the hideout was likely to be used for making IEDs and use them during political rallies of Ms Mufti.

Another hideout of the militants was busted by security forces at Baguddi nullah in Doda. Four AK magazines, 362 rounds and nine hand grenades were recovered from the hideout.

Terror infrastructure in Pak ‘intact’
ISI giving special training to militants to infiltrate

NEW DELHI, Nov 29: Asserting that terror infrastructure in Pakistan was "intact" irrespective of the recent thaw in Indo-Pak ties, BSF today said ISI-calibrated" infiltration attempts were still on and the terrorists were being given special training to negotiate the border fence.

BSF Director General Ajai Raj Sharma told reporters here that infiltration had decreased during the last four months, mainly because of the vigil by the Indian forces, but around 300 terrorists were always present on "launching pads" waiting for an opportunity to sneak in.

He said the next phase of induction of CRPF in Jammu and Kashmir replacing BSF had been put off till next summer.

"The infrastructure for exporting terror across the Line of Control (LoC) is reported to be intact. The terrorist training camps have not been wound up but only shifted away from the border," Sharma said.

The BSF chief pointed out the control of terrorists had been shifted from Pakistan army to ISI. "Training of militants, providing launching pads for infiltration along with moral and material support is being closely calibrated by Pakistan thr-ough ISI," he said.

He said there were reports that ISI was organising special training for militants on methods to "compromise and negotiate the border fence".

As part of this design, models of the fence and Indian troop positions have been prepared and the terrorists are being provided with plastic ladders and gloves, wire cutters, chemicals etc which have been specially procured for the purpose, Sharma said.

To a question, the BSF DG said "the problem (of terrorism) has only decreased and not vanished. It will depend on the future of (Indo-Pak) mutual relations whether the problem increases or decreases."

On the eastern front, Sharma said BSF had made a proposal to its Bangladesh counterpart BDR for coordinated patrolling along the 4095 km border but a response to it was awaited.

He said certain problems were being faced on this border because of various reasons, which include population being right upto the border, constant movement across the frontier since 1947 and incomplete fencing.

There is a need for increased deployment accompanied by improved gadgets for surveillance and flood lighting to check the crimes on this border, Sharma said.

He said BSF’s relations with BDR were good and improving but some vested interests were trying to spoil these by spreading "misinformation".

To a question, he denied the existence of anti-Bangladesh elements in India and said a constant search was being undertaken for them on the basis of information provided by the neighbouring country.

The BDR chief was recently here and had proposed that the personnel of his force undergo training at BSF centres, Sharma said, adding the suggestion was welcomed and could be accepted if a request is made.

The BSF was unable to impart the mandatory rotational training to its cadres due to optimal deployment, he said, adding for this reason, the force had recommended raising of 19 more battalions to help tide over the problem. (PTI)

‘Bharat Gaurav Award’ for Muzaffar Baig

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 29: Minister for Finance and Planning, Muzaffar Hussain Baig has been conferred with " Bharat Ga-urav Award" for the year 2004-05.

Constituted by India International Friendship Society, the award is being presented every year to resident and non-resident Indian achievers of extra ordinary excellence in different fields of life.

India International Friendship Society, is an international organisation espousing humanitarian causes, promoting universal brotherhood and campaigning for foreign investment in various social sectors in the country.

The past recipient of this most coveted award include Mother Teresa, former Vice-President of India B D Jatti, Air Chief Marshal N C Suri, former Director CBI Joginder Singh, business tycoon Vijay Mallya, Justice Fatima Bibi, Bhai Mahavir, Dr Bishan Narayan Singh, movie star Dev Anand, NRIs Rajiv Jalan, Dr D K Suri and Sunny Chabra.

Mr Baig has been invited to receive the award at Mumbai on January 8, 2005 where he would also participate in an international conference on ‘ Global Participation in India’s Economic Development." The conference would be attended by the elite of Indian economy and polity besides several NRI delegates.

Manmohan to meet Chinese premier today

VIENTIANE (Laos), Nov 29 : Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will have his first meeting with Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao here tomorrow on the sidelines of a major summit of South East Asian Nations aimed at further bolstering the new momentum in bilateral ties.

The Singh-Wen meeting will be the highest-level face-to-face contact between the two countries since the Congress-led UPA Government assumed office in May this year.

The Prime Minister, who is leading a high-level delegation, is here to attend the 3rd summit between India and the powerful ten-nation association of South East Asian Nations.

China, which is a dialogue partner of ASEAN, is positive about such a high-level meeting with India in Vientiane, a report from Beijing quoting a senior Chinese official has said. The Chinese Premier is also expected to visit India early next year.

The meeting between the Indian and the Chinese leaderships here will also be held amid signals that the two sides have made "progress" in resolving their vexed boundary dispute that had impaired bilateral ties for decades.

Both India and China are keen on further developing the new momentum in bilateral ties and the visit will give an opportunity for Singh and Wen to move forward in that direction, officials said. (PTI)

More troop reduction next month

NEW DELHI, Nov 29: Army proposes to undertake more reduction of troops in Jammu and Kashmir from the beginning of next month, Army Chief General N C Vij said here today stressing that the deinduction would not be at the cost of the security of the country.

At the same time, Vij said that it was proposed to raise six more battallions of Rashtriya Rifles from within the State of Jammu and Kashmir.

"Being the sons of the soil, their recruitment would help the armed forces reach out to the people of the State," the Army Chief told reporters at his residence, where he hosted tea for victims of cross border firing from the State.

He indicated that the proposal in this regard was with the Government.

Army is already in the process of raising six battallions in the State, mostly from the areas close to the Line of Control and from districts hit by militancy.

Elaborating on further troop reduction, Vij said the exercise would be undertaken from December one. His remarks assume significance in the wake of Defence Minister’s stout dismissal of charges levelled by Pakistan that troops deinduction in J and K was just "cosmetic".

Top Army officials said the troop reduction had infact been substantial. Though no numbers have officially been given, it is estimated that more than ten thousand troops have been deinducted in the first phase and these include from areas on the LoC as well as from the hinterland. (PTI)

Petrol may become 40 paisa cheaper

NEW DELHI, Nov 29 : Petrol may become cheaper by Rs 0.40 per litre from December 1 following a fall in international oil prices.

"International fuel prices have fallen in the past fortnight. Petrol, having being linked with import parity prices, may see a cut of 40 paisa per litre," a senior oil company official said today.

Diesel prices, if aligned with international prices, may be cut by Rs 0.05 to 0.10 per litre in step with global trends.

Earlier today, Petroleum Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar was non-committal on the issue.

"Let us wait and see," Aiyar said in reply to reporters’ query as to whether the present practice of fortnightly revision in petrol and diesel prices will be followed at the next due date on November 30 and prices altered in step with international fuel price movements.

Aiyar said petrol prices were revised downward on November 15 as a result of their being aligned with the international prices. "With international prices falling, petrol prices were also lowered."

However, diesel prices were not aligned with global prices and, therefore, there was no change in them.

He did not say if this anomaly would be addressed by tomorrow, the next due date for revision in petrol and diesel prices, according to the current formula of fortnightly fixing of prices.

Asked if the Government could scrap the fortnightly revision and fix prices every quarter, he said, "I don’t know." (PTI)

Indo-Pak talks on narcotics postponed

NEW DELHI, Nov 29: The two-day technical-level talks between Narcotics Control authorities of India and Pakistan, which were to begin here today, have been postponed till December 13-14, official sources said.

However, the meeting between the railway authorities of the two countries on the Munnabao-Khokhrapar rail link, that would connect Rajasthan with Sindh in Pakistan, would be held as scheduled on December 2-3 in Islamabad, the sources added.

External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh has already announced that the train would start from October two, the Gandhi ‘Jayanti’ Day, next year.

These talks would be followed by a meeting here on December 3-4 between the Indian Coast Guards and the Pakistani Maritime Security Agency to discuss a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for establishing communication links between them.

The Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service will be the next item on the agenda of the two countries when their officials meet here on December 7-8. The two countries have still not been able to resolve the issue of the travel documents to be carried by the passengers on the proposed bus.

A meeting of the committee of experts on trade-related issues will be held between the two countries here on December 9-10 followed by the talks between the narcotics control authorities on December 13-14.

The two countries will undertake a joint survey of the boundary pillars in the horizontal segment in the Sir Creek area at their meeting in Karachi on December 14-15. This meeting will be held alongside the expert-level meeting on nuclear Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) to discuss the draft agreement on advance notification of missiles tests on in Islamabad. The two sides will hold an expert-level meeting on conventional CBMs on December 15-16 in Islamabad.

Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran will travel to Islamabad on December 22/23 for finalising dates for talks on eight outstanding issues under the bilateral composite dialogue process with his Pakistani counterpart Riaz Khokhar.

The leaders of the two countries will also meet in Dhaka in early January on the margins of the SAARC summit.

The External Affairs Minister is scheduled to pay a bilateral visit to Islamabad in February.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has also accepted an invitation from his Pakistani counterpart Shaukat Aziz to visit Islamabad. Dates of the visit will be worked out in consultations through diplomatic channels. (UNI)

Pak opposed to granting autonomy to J&K

ISLAMABAD, Nov 29: Pakistan today opposed any move to grant autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir as a solution to the protracted issue claiming it was rejected by the people of the State.

"Autonomy as a solution has already been rejected by Kashmiris," Pakistan Foreign Office Spokesman Masood Khan told reporters here when asked to comment on External Affairs Minister’s reported remarks in favour of considering regional autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir.

"Autonomy was discussed and tried in the past," Khan said adding it has been rejected by the people of Kashmir.

He said the "real issue" was to ascertain the wishes of Kashmiris about the political future and dispensation.

"There are three parties - India, Pakistan and Kashmiris. Together they have to come up with a solution," Khan said.

On Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s comments of India not being in favour of redrawing international borders, Khan said "he may not divide India but still we have to address the Jammu and Kashmir issue. It is disputed territory. We have to decide its future."

Denying reports that Pakistan has decided to freeze the Kashmir issue and follow Chinese model of normalising ties with India, the spokesman said "we have not accepted any model or frozen Kashmir issue. Kashmir is on the front burner."

"We have stated positions. We are looking for space available within the stated positions," he said.

On New Delhi linking the proposed Iran-India gas pipeline to Pakistan granting most favoured nation status to India, Khan said it was a stand alone project. "There should be no linkages. We have not introduced any linkages."

Pakistan leaders have already said that the pipeline would benefit both the countries, he said adding "purely on cost and benefit analysis India should cooperate with us."

Khan rejected suggestions that Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz’s recent visit to India was a failure.

"The Pakistan Prime Minister shared his perspective with the Indian leadership. He understood Indian leadership’s perspectives."

"Effort at the time was to keep the spirit of President Pervez Musharraf and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s New York meeting alive and to ensure continuity of composite dialogue process," Khan said.

He said Prime Minister (Aziz) had said his engagement with the Indian leadership was constructive.

"We should meet time and again to understand each others perspectives," he said.

On India’s new Army chief-designate J J Singh’s reported remarks that New Delhi had other options if Pakistan failed to comply with its promise to stop cross border terrorism, Khan said "if he means that war is an option I do not think it is."

"There is a strategic parity between the two countries. Pakistan Army is strong and capable of rising to any challenge. I do not think there is any intimidation," he said.

On the Baglihar hydro-electric project, Khan said a last attempt was being made to settle the issue through bilateral talks.

He said if talks fail to produce any result Pakistan will approach World Bank to appoint neutral experts to resolve the issue.

"In future we have to take a decision to revoke the clauses for arbitration," he said.

Earlier, Khan had said Musharraf had taken an in principle decision to approach the World Bank to find a solution to the issue.

As of now Pakistan was keen in asking the World Bank to facilitate a bilateral settlement, Khan had said. (PTI)

Next round of talks on Dec 23, 24

ISLAMABAD, Nov 29: After recent sparring on Kashmir, Foreign Secretaries of India and Pakistan are scheduled to hold substantive talks on the vexed issue during their second round of composite dialogue process to be held on December 23 and 24.

Pakistan has accepted the dates of December 23 and 24 suggested by India for the Foreign Secretaries meeting to formally kickstart the second round of composite dialogue to discuss Kashmir and seven other issues, Pakistan Foreign office spokesman Masood Khan told reporters here today.

The second round meeting of the Foreign Secretaries is scheduled to be held in Islamabad as the first round was conducted in New Delhi, but "we need to confirm where the talks will be held," Khan said.

The Foreign Secretaries would also fix the schedule for official-level talks on seven other issues which included, Siachen, Wullar Barriage, Sir Creek, terrorism and drug trafficking, economic and commercial cooperation and promotion of friendly exchange in various fields.

Replying to a question Khan hoped the second round of composite dialogue process would produce results.

To another question whether the two countries managed to make progress on any of the eight issues of the composite dialogue process, Khan said "talks are continuing. We are yet to achieve a breakthrough but we have a productive engagement to understand each others’ perspectives as the talks are being held after several years. That is why we are going to hold composite dialogue on all eight agenda items."

Khan said official-level talks of narcotics control authorities to be held in New Delhi today and tomorrow have been postponed.

He also said meeting of committee of experts on trade related issues to be held in New Delhi on December 9 and 10 also has been postponed. He, however, did not give reasons for the postponement.

The other round of talks beginning with those between railway authorities on the Munnabao-Khokhrapar would, however, be held as per schedule.

Railway authorities will meet in Islamabad on December 2-3 in Islamabad followed by coast guard officials of the two countries on December 3-4 in New Delhi.

Talks to resolve differences on starting a bus service between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad will be held on December 7-8 in New Delhi, expert-level talks on nuclear and conventional CBMs on December 14-16 at New Delhi and joint survey of boundary pillars in Sir Creek on December 14-15 at Karachi. (PTI)
 
 
 

 

 

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