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Indo-Pak talks conclude

By The Assam Tribune

ISLAMABAD, June 24 � India today made it clear to Pakistan that resolution of the Kashmir issue cannot take place under the �shadow of gun� as the two countries concluded �satisfactory� talks which resulted in agreement on various confidence building measures (CBMs), reports PTI.

Two days of talks between Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao and her counterpart Salman Bashir ended here on a positive note paving the way for discussions between Foreign Ministers of the two countries in New Delhi next month.

India pressed for �satisfactory closure� of the trial in Pakistan of Mumbai terror attack accused, saying it would help in normalisation of ties. Pakistan wanted terrorism issue to be addressed in a �collaborative� manner.

At a joint press conference at the Pakistan Foreign Office, Rao and Bashir struck a positive tone describing their discussions as �very constructive and purposeful�.

Various nuclear and conventional CBMs were discussed during the talks and it was agreed to convene separate expert-level meetings on these subjects to strengthen the existing arrangements and consider additional measures later this year.

Both sides agreed to convene a meeting of the Working Group on Cross-LoC CBMs to recommend measures for strengthening and streamlining the existing trade and travel arrangements across the LoC and propose modalities for introducing additional Cross-LoC CBMs. The group will meet next month.

The Indian Foreign Secretary made a pointed reference to the need to do away with �shadow of the gun and extremist violence� while dealing with the �complex issue� of Jammu and Kashmir.

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