THIMPHU (BHUTAN), April 29 � They came, they shook hands, and yet each shied way from yielding substantial ground when they took part in a one-to-one parley in Thimphu today. On the flip side, Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and Pakistani premier Yousuf Raza Gilani, did�attempt to break a thaw in relationship that lasted for a long period, and succeeded in doing that.
The most positive outcome from the much anticipated meeting would be the development that the Foreign Ministers and Foreign Secretaries of both the countries have been entrusted to find ways to start substantive talks as early as possible.
In talks held on the sidelines of the SAARC summit, it is believed that Dr Singh expressed extreme disappointment over the neighbouring nation�s inability to curb terror cells operating from its soil and also the country�s failure to act against those responsible for the Mumbai terror attacks that killed and injured scores of people.
The Indian leader made it known that the failure of Pakistan to stop terror was a hurdle in the progress of India-Pakistan talks. He pointed to unfettered movement of extremists in that country, elements that had clear links with terror attacks inside India.
It has also been learnt that the Pakistani leader was pushing for an early resumption of high level bilateral talks with India, arguing that instances of terror attacks should not be a determining factor in pursuing and improving relations between the two South Asian neighbours.
India, on the other hand, has maintained that composite dialogues with the neighbouring country could only take place in an atmosphere not spoiled by terror and violence, which continue to have strong roots in Pakistan.
One of the positive outcomes of today�s meeting was the decision to initiate talks between India and Pakistan at the Foreign Minister and Foreign Secretary levels so that lost faith in dialogues could be restored. It is expected that the decision would put much needed momentum on dialogues on a wide range of issues which have remained in the cold storage for the last few months.
Following the meet, Indian Foreign Secretary, Nirupama Rao, in a press conference maintained that the talks were good, and would help improve ties between the two countries in the near future, saying that dialogues would take place on issues of concern.
Responding to a question, she significantly indicated the official Indian position � � I don�t believe that the past can be abandoned. Understand from the past and build accordingly�. She chose not to comment when asked if the issue of handing over of Ajmal Kasab to Pakistan figured in the one-to-one talk that lasted for more than an hour.
It may be mentioned that this was the first meeting of the two Prime Minsiters after a meet in Sharm-el-Sheik, Egypt in July last year when a controversy�erupted over the contents of the joint statement.
THIMPHU (BHUTAN), April 29 � They came, they shook hands, and yet each shied way from yielding substantial ground when they took part in a one-to-one parley in Thimphu today. On the flip side, Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and Pakistani premier Yousuf Raza Gilani, did�attempt to break a thaw in relationship that lasted for a long period, and succeeded in doing that.
The most positive outcome from the much anticipated meeting would be the development that the Foreign Ministers and Foreign Secretaries of both the countries have been entrusted to find ways to start substantive talks as early as possible.
In talks held on the sidelines of the SAARC summit, it is believed that Dr Singh expressed extreme disappointment over the neighbouring nation�s inability to curb terror cells operating from its soil and also the country�s failure to act against those responsible for the Mumbai terror attacks that killed and injured scores of people.
The Indian leader made it known that the failure of Pakistan to stop terror was a hurdle in the progress of India-Pakistan talks. He pointed to unfettered movement of extremists in that country, elements that had clear links with terror attacks inside India.
It has also been learnt that the Pakistani leader was pushing for an early resumption of high level bilateral talks with India, arguing that instances of terror attacks should not be a determining factor in pursuing and improving relations between the two South Asian neighbours.
India, on the other hand, has maintained that composite dialogues with the neighbouring country could only take place in an atmosphere not spoiled by terror and violence, which continue to have strong roots in Pakistan.
One of the positive outcomes of today�s meeting was the decision to initiate talks between India and Pakistan at the Foreign Minister and Foreign Secretary levels so that lost faith in dialogues could be restored. It is expected that the decision would put much needed momentum on dialogues on a wide range of issues which have remained in the cold storage for the last few months.
Following the meet, Indian Foreign Secretary, Nirupama Rao, in a press conference maintained that the talks were good, and would help improve ties between the two countries in the near future, saying that dialogues would take place on issues of concern.
Responding to a question, she significantly indicated the official Indian position � � I don�t believe that the past can be abandoned. Understand from the past and build accordingly�. She chose not to comment when asked if the issue of handing over of Ajmal Kasab to Pakistan figured in the one-to-one talk that lasted for more than an hour.
It may be mentioned that this was the first meeting of the two Prime Minsiters after a meet in Sharm-el-Sheik, Egypt in July last year when a controversy�erupted over the contents of the joint statement.
