NEW DELHI, June 27: Foreign ministers of Pakistan and India on Friday announced a fifth round of their Composite Dialogue from July 21, sanguine that the opposition parties in both countries backed the peace process.

“Whether it is the Congress-led coalition in Delhi or it is the PPP-led coalition in Pakistan, major players whether it is the BJP, the Opposition here, or major opposition parties in Pakistan, there is a virtual consensus on movement and normalisation,” Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi said.

The minister had to cut down his three-day trip and return to Pakistani late on Friday following the death of his mother-in-law.

The minister, who addressed a joint press conference with Indian counterpart Pranab Mukherjee, said: “We must seize this opportunity, we have the right environment.”

The remarks sought to dispel fears that coalition problems in both countries could derail the talks by taking the foot off the accelerator. Going by indications from both sides, it appeared likely that Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh would visit Pakistan soon.

“We are working on the date of his visit as per mutual convenience,” Mr Mukherjee told the news conference. “I do hope shortly we will be able to finalise the date.”

Mr Mukherjee said the Composite Dialogue had so far boosted bilateral relations. Issues of energy security, food security, poverty alleviation, amongst others would be taken up in the new round of dialogue.

The Joint Anti-Terror Mechanism, which met in Islamabad recently, had a constructive outcome. “Terrorism is a threat to the stability of our respective democratic frameworks,” Mr Mukherjee said.

Mr Qureshi stressed issues that did not figure in Mr Mukherjee’s presentation. “In Jammu and Kashmir, peace and security are issues that will be focused on in those talks,” Mr Qureshi said.

“But we also, in our talks, exchanged the significance and importance of ceasefire on the Line of Control and the International Border. And we are both of the view that that has by and large been upheld by both sides, respected by both sides; and it is in our mutual interest to maintain that.”

Mr Qureshi said he had urged Mr Mukherjee “to give serious thought to outstanding disputes that need our consideration”. He had come to India with a very positive agenda.

Sir Creek dispute was “doable” and Siachen too could be resolved, Mr

Qureshi said. “I am of the view that liberalisation of visas is to our mutual advantage and will promote people-to-people contact.”

He also urged and laid emphasis on a decision, for a quick decision on the IPI gas pipeline. “Both sides stand to gain and this pipeline can be a pipeline of peace and a new bond,” Mr Qureshi, who also holds the petroleum portfolio, said.

He later held talks with Indian Petroleum Minister Murli Deora.

Mr Mukherjee said he too was hopeful that it would be possible to resolve the IPI issue “both on technical, commercial and all other aspects so that it contributes substantially to resolve the problem arising out of the high energy prices all over the world and also to resolve to some extent the energy crisis which many countries including ours are facing”.

The recent deaths of Pakistani prisoners in Indian jails came up. “I did bring to the notice of the Minister for External Affairs certain mishandling and unfortunately the coverage that was reported in the press. It is a humanitarian issue. We have agreed to a mechanism and the recommendations of the Judicial Committee on Prisoners and the Consular Access Agreement that we have signed in Islamabad should be followed in letter and spirit.”

Mr Qureshi was asked to comment on Pakistan’s domestic problems with terrorism, and on the situation in Peshawar. He said the government was dealing with the issues with a three-pronged strategy.

“We will engage politically with the positive element that does not believe in violence, that does not believe in taking up arms, we would concentrate on socio-economic development of that area, tribal belt and the border area; and if required, we will use force when required. As far as Peshawar is concerned, Peshawar is secure and we will defend our integrity and our borders; and we know how to do that,” he added.