Suo Motu Statement by External Affairs Minister in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha
Suo Motu Statement by External
Affairs Minister in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on Her Visit to Islamabad and
Recent Developments Relating to Ties between India and Pakistan
Following
is the text of the Suo Motu Statement by External Affairs Minister Smt. Sushma
Swaraj in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on Her Visit to Islamabad and Recent
Developments Relating to Ties between India and Pakistan
December
14, 2015
Hon’ble
Speaker/Chairman,
1. I rise
to brief this august House and Hon'ble Members on my recent visit to Islamabad,
Pakistan to lead the Indian delegation to the 'Heart of Asia' Ministerial
Conference on Afghanistan and recent developments relating to ties between
India and Pakistan.
2. The
Fifth Ministerial Conference of the Heart of Asia Istanbul Process on December
8-9, 2015 in Islamabad was devoted to the themes of security and connectivity.
The Conference provided to us an important opportunity on a vital regional
platform for political consultations and regional cooperation to reiterate
India's commitment to Afghanistan's stability and development and our faith in
its future. India has actively participated in the Heart of Asia Process since
its beginning. The process brings together friends of Afghanistan from its
immediate and extended neighbourhood as well as supporting countries and
international organizations to promote political consultations and regional
cooperation for a united, democratic, independent, strong and prosperous
Afghanistan. My visit to Islamabad underlined India's strong commitment to that
cause. In my statement at the Conference, I urged full and direct transit for
Afghanistan through Pakistan to India. In the context of relations between India
and Pakistan, I advocated working together for peace and development in South
Asia, with self-confidence and maturity.
3. I also
take this opportunity to inform the House that during my visit to Islamabad, I
called on Prime Minister Mr. Nawaz Sharif and held discussions with my
Pakistani counterpart Mr. Sartaj Aziz. Following my meetings the decision of
this Government to begin a Comprehensive Bilateral Dialogue with Pakistan was
announced in a Joint Statement in Islamabad on December 9, 2015. This decision
of the Government follows the recent developments and engagements between the
two countries, especially the constructive discussions between their National
Security Advisors in Bangkok on December 6, 2015. The meeting of the NSAs resulted
from discussion between our Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Prime
Minister Mr. Nawaz Sharif in Paris on November 30, 2015.
4. As the
House is aware, the Prime Minister of Pakistan was invited in May 2014, among
other SAARC leaders, by Prime Minister to attend the swearing-in ceremony of
the new Government. This was a demonstration of our commitment to good
neighbourly ties with Pakistan, in line with our vision for peace and
development in the region through deeper regional integration in South Asia. In
the first meeting between the two Prime Ministers during that visit of Mr.
Nawaz Sharif to New Delhi, our views on India-Pakistan ties and our concerns on
terrorism and violence were conveyed to the Pakistani authorities. The meetings
as decided between the two sides in May 2014, however, did not take place.
5. As the
House is also aware, the Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan met in Ufa in
July 2015 and agreed that the two countries had collective responsibility to
ensure peace and promote development. They condemned terrorism in all its forms
and agreed to cooperate with each other to eliminate this menace from South
Asia. To that end, they decided on a meeting of the National Security Advisors
to discuss all issues connected to terrorism. They also stated that the two
countries were prepared to discuss all outstanding issues. During the Ufa
meeting, PM was extended an invitation by Prime Minister Mr. Nawaz Sharif to
visit Islamabad for attending the SAARC Summit in 2016.
6. For
the reasons that we all know, the expected meetings of NSAs and Directors
General of Military Operations of the two countries envisaged at Ufa, did not
materialize though Directors General of BSF and Pakistan Rangers met and a
number of humanitarian measures, agreed at Ufa, were implemented.
7. In
this background, when our Prime Minister met his Pakistan counterpart during
the COP-21 Summit meeting in Paris on 30 November 2015, there was a discussion
on how the two countries could build an atmosphere conducive for again
re-engaging with each other. The underlying sentiment, on which I am confident
that this House concurs fully, was that the continued estrangement of two
neighbours was a hurdle to the realization of our shared vision of a peaceful
and prosperous region. At the same time, there was also a sharp awareness that
the principal obstacles to the growth of ties, especially terrorism, would have
to be clearly and directly addressed.
8. Following
PM's conversation with PM Mr. Nawaz Sharif in Paris, the two leaders decided
that both sides should hold the NSA-level meeting. The National Security
Advisors of the two countries accordingly met on December 6, 2015. The meeting
was held in Bangkok. Discussions between the two NSAs in that meeting were held
in a candid, cordial and constructive atmosphere. They focused on peace and
security, terrorism, tranquility along the Line of Control, and Jammu &
Kashmir – the State which has been most directly impacted by terrorism and
violation of LOC.
9. My
visit to Islamabad for the Heart of Asia Conference came two days after the
constructive talks between NSAs on issues related to security, terrorism, etc.
My meetings with PM Mr. Nawaz Sharif and Mr. Sartaj Aziz in Islamabad were held
in the backdrop of this positive development. Both sides condemned terrorism
and resolved to cooperate to eliminate this menace. There we dwelt on the need
for Pakistan to expedite the Mumbai terrorist attacks trial. The Indian side
was assured of the steps being taken to expedite its early conclusion.
10. Accordingly,
it was decided to begin a dialogue with Pakistan under the new title
"Comprehensive Bilateral Dialogue”. The Foreign Secretaries have been
tasked to work out modalities and schedule of the meetings under the new
Dialogue.
11. I
would like to assure the House that this Government accords the highest
priority to the country’s security. In order to meet any threats in this
regard, the Government will take all steps, including through diplomatic
channels. At the same time, the Government is also committed to building an environment
of peaceful and cooperative relations with all our neighbours, including
Pakistan, so that the efforts for peace and development in South Asia,
initiated by the Government on the day of assuming office itself, are taken
further forward. The new Dialogue with Pakistan has twin aims of removing
hurdles in the path of a constructive engagement by addressing issues of
concern, and at the same time, of exploring and establishing cooperative ties.
Initiatives on trade and connectivity, people-to-people exchanges and
humanitarian issues will contribute to welfare of the entire region, and
promote better understanding and mutual trust. The new Dialogue, we sincerely
hope, marks a new beginning also for peace and development in the whole region.
I am confident that we have the support of the entire House in this
expectation.
Thank
you.
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