US says meeting of Indo-Pak foreign secretaries encouraging
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WASHINGTON: The United States says it welcomed the meeting between the foreign secretaries of India and Pakistan and the decision to resume dialogue was encouraging, given the tension in Kashmir region during the past six months.
Addressing a news conference, State Department spokesperson Marie Harf said that the United States "believes that both India and Pakistan stand to benefit from practical cooperation and an improved relationship".
Harf said improved ties between the two countries "would be good for regional peace and stability in South Asia".
The statement comes days after Indian Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar had made an official two-day visit to Islamabad, during which he held separate meetings with his Pakistani counterpart and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
Read: Samjhota Express, LoC violations discussed: Aizaz Chaudhry
The visit was part of Jaishankar's tour of Saarc countries that India has dubbed as the (Saarc yatra).
During the foreign secretary-level meeting, India mentioned Mumbai, Pakistan referred to the Samjhota Express, Pakistan mentioned alleged Indian involvement in Balochistan and Fata and India pointed to alleged Pakistan-based anti-India militancy. Both sides brought up violence along the LoC and Working Boundary.
Also read: More of the same
The arrival of the Indian foreign secretary was viewed as the first tentative step towards reviving the stalled Indo-Pak peace talks by pledging to work together to find common ground, but it remained unclear when the dialogue would reconvene.
Dialogue has remained suspended because of continuing ceasefire violations along the Line of Control and Working Boundary, which witnessed the worst skirmishes in the past two years since the 2003 truce.
Also read: India calls off foreign secretary level talks with Pakistan
India had also cancelled planned foreign secretary talks in August last year following Pakistani High Commissioner to New Delhi Abdul Basit's meeting with the Kashmiri leadership.
Read more
On DawnNews
Comments (46) Closed
Mar 07, 2015 03:58pm
Who are lying ? Pakistan or America ?
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Mar 07, 2015 04:32pm
Indians are out of touch with reality. Currently indians are flying high because of newly found friendship with 'big boys', thinking they would join 'big boys' club very soon. Unfortunately, indians fail to understand reality in the neighbourhood. That without resolution of Kashmir problem, no one expects any sustainable peace in the region.
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Mar 07, 2015 04:46pm
I am also very encouraged by the Iranian Foreign Minister and US Secretary of State meeting, Thank You !
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Mar 07, 2015 04:47pm
Perhaps the US could mind its own business? Who India talks to and what we talk about are our own business. What makes the US think they have a role to play in India's affairs? Should we also express our pleasure or displeasure at everything the US does?
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Mar 07, 2015 06:03pm
@El Indiano - But you do "express pleasure or displeasure"...just like that!
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Mar 07, 2015 06:13pm
@Radhakrishna India.
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Mar 07, 2015 06:15pm
@El Indiano we pakistanis have allowed them to comment and involve in kashmir resolution, so india better accept it as well. When it is a matter not involving pakistan, then it's between you two.
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Mar 07, 2015 06:16pm
We know, Obama has told Modi, kashmir is to be resolved and the time frame. Modi now needs to save face and resolve Kashmir in such a way, the public thinks he did it on his own.
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Mar 07, 2015 06:45pm
@KeyPoints There's already peace in Kashmir, except for the few terrorists who sneak across the border. And look at the trend - Pakistan's support for terrorism is on the run. They can't do it overtly like they used to. We're already a reasonably big boy, and on our way to becoming a bigger boy. You should worry about Pakistan - it is fast becoming the ignored boy.
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Mar 07, 2015 07:12pm
@KeyPoints
INDIANS are ALREADY in the BIG BOYS CLUB.
And Pakistan is still hypened with Afghanistan .
Pakistan is unable to militarily or diplomatically
take KASHMIR.
Imagine the scenario that Indian Kashmir becomes
part of Pakistan tomorrow.
Are the INDIANS going to let Pakistan sleep
peacefully forever and with NO consequences?
In the 1947 PARTITION,PUNJAB was divided into
West and East as was Bengal.
Realistically,both countries will HAVE to live
with a DIVIDED Kashmir and ACCEPT an
INTERNATIONAL demarcation line.
Internationally though,Pakistan's image is sullied for the
forseeable future and it can press no advantage.
Pakistan is no postion to go to all out war with INDIA
over the region.The low intensity or proxy war Pakistan
has been waging since at least 1989 can be absorbed by
INDIA without ANY detriment to it's continued growth
while harming Pakistan internally.
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Mar 07, 2015 08:39pm
@KeyPoints India are very god diplomats and with this SAARC yatra India killed 2 birds in one stone.1)Did not accepted demand of bilateral dialogue and thus remained standing firm on "onus lies with pakistan" part to created conducive environment for any meaningful talk.2)gained applaud from world capitals without even compromising on its stand and the example is US state department promptly came out with statement thus moving the chess exactly as India wants.Pakistan has no options
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Mar 07, 2015 09:34pm
Nothing will happen.India is serious in dialogues with Pakistan.Big satire of this Century.
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Mar 07, 2015 09:49pm
@Zak I checked with Obama and he told that ZAK is just joking.
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Mar 07, 2015 10:13pm
It is a diplomatic coup by Pakistan to ensure Indian foreign secretary visits us too, while visiting rest SAARC nations.
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Mar 07, 2015 10:56pm
@Arun now now now!
Just wait and watch!
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Mar 07, 2015 11:00pm
@Zak I know its difficult for you to imagine prime ministers who have a bit of spine because you've experienced nawaz twice but don't forget india is an "ally", not a "servant" who gets yearly relief funds.
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Mar 07, 2015 11:10pm
@colin we are waiting for US to leave Afghanistan, then see how kashmir lights up.
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Mar 07, 2015 11:25pm
@Zak Obama also warn Pakistan not to carry out any militant attack on Indian soil. this time the befitting reply would be shocking for Pakistan.
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Mar 08, 2015 01:13am
@Radhakrishna india
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Mar 08, 2015 01:15am
@El Indiano this is your personal point of view..trust me Indian government does care about US views.
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Mar 08, 2015 01:21am
US says meeting of Indo-Pak foreign secretaries is an encouraging sign of obedience, LOL
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Mar 08, 2015 01:23am
@JET LEE : Obama is not a king and will depart soon from the white house, thank God for that. Policies can change very quickly with the new administration.
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Mar 08, 2015 03:10am
@KeyPoints There is no Kashmir problem. What Kashmir problem ? The real problem (not understandable in Pakistan) is to provide "roti, kapara, and makan" to the people of South Asia" Is that very hard to understand ?
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Mar 08, 2015 03:27am
@Zak your grand children also will think of Kashmir resolution in his / her dream per his / her wish in 2100. There is non harm in dreaming.
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Mar 08, 2015 03:31am
India so doesn't care
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Mar 08, 2015 03:32am
The world cares 5% of when they care about Palastian and how much has been done there? Has Israel been punished? Pakistan is living in a fools reality
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Mar 08, 2015 03:33am
@KeyPoints The world cares 5% about kashmir of when they care about Palastian and how much has been done there? Has Israel been punished? Pakistan is living in a fools reality
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Mar 08, 2015 03:35am
Pakistan is like a baby throwing its toys out of the pram. Nobody cAres
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Mar 08, 2015 04:11am
@KeyPoints who wants your peace? we are quite well off in spite of the worst you have tried against us.please pull your head out of the hole and accept India's achievements which brings the 'big boys' queing at our door in the first place.we do not need to beg but are invited to join these clubs. for example even if india stops lobbying just watch how the UNSC permanent membership come to our door within the next 5-10 years.
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Mar 08, 2015 05:12am
We cares what US says. What does India or Pakistan thinks that is what matters the most. They can not resolve any issue on pressure from US or any third country. It has to be resolved among these two countries.
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Mar 08, 2015 06:13am
@KeyPoints
No one expects peace in the Islamic world.
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Mar 08, 2015 06:14am
@El Indiano
You always do.
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Mar 08, 2015 06:26am
@Zak Appoint Obama Prime Minister of Pakistan in addition to his current job as the President of USA. You will solve Kashmir problem, money problem, Balooschistan problem, etc.
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Mar 08, 2015 06:36am
Can I request pakistanis to not go to Indian newspapers and comment there so that those people don't come here to comment back. Right now the Indian newspapers such as times of India are full of comments by the pakistanis and this paper is full of Indians. It distorts the view of what my fellow countrymen are thinking.
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Mar 08, 2015 06:40am
Kashmir will never be given to us. After 4 disastrous wars which our propaganda told us that we had won but which we had lost badly, And after losing a huge part of our land in the east when our country was sliced into two parts, if we keep asking for kashmir we will lose balochistan as well. And maybe more. So let's just think of progress for the next 50 years and become better than india. Once we are better than them we can demand kashmir. Not like this, in Chappals and torn clothes.
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Mar 08, 2015 08:05am
@KeyPoints Why o why did the Ministry of External Affairs not appoint u as their chief advisor to Sudhma Swaraj ? Ur expert advice cud well be useful there ...
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Mar 08, 2015 09:23am
I think, key to peace in this region is US getting out of it.
But that's just me.
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Mar 08, 2015 10:01am
@Zak
Clutching at straws,as usual !
Meanwhile,INDIA continues to play
with PAKISTAN much as a cat plays with a BIG
squeaking mouse !!
btw,What happened to the visit from
CHINA leader's to Pakistan on 23rd March
that you were boasting about recently ??!!
INDIA told you gently it would not happen
after the CHINA-INDIA-RUSSIA TRILATERAL
meet very recently.
Now you can invite the leader of Somalia......
At least he will not be shocked to hear gunfire
(or worse) nearby [LOL] !!!!
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Mar 08, 2015 01:45pm
Pakistan can choose cease to exist but won't leave k-word. that's the irony of Pakistan
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Mar 08, 2015 01:46pm
@Zak : You were there , right Zak and brioefed very fully?
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Mar 08, 2015 02:15pm
@Zak "It is a diplomatic coup by Pakistan to ensure Indian foreign secretary visits us too, while visiting rest SAARC nations."
True that. Especially after the personal invitation by your COAS to Premier Xi to be the chief guest for Pakistan day parade has been declined by China.
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Mar 08, 2015 03:41pm
@KeyPoints agreed boss we are out touch with reality but still progressing and you are very much grounded with dreams of Kashmir and lagging behind atleast by three decades what is your take
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Mar 08, 2015 05:44pm
@Zak. What. A benchmarking. Keep it up
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Mar 08, 2015 05:46pm
@Syed Ganga Din. But he will always remain former president of USA
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Mar 08, 2015 05:54pm
@Radhakrishna who is lying pakistan or America..why not India or America. ...America and india after pakistans nuclear weapons
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Mar 08, 2015 06:46pm
@Zak
Lets hope half of PAKISTAN
does not light up then as well !
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