Next summit likely by year-end

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, AUG. 11. The Foreign Secretary, Ms. Chokila Iyer, today indicated that the next Indo-Pak summit would be held by the end of this year or early next year and that both sides ``agreed that the dialogue process must continue''.

Ms. Iyer, who was returning to New Delhi from Colombo after participating in the SAARC meeting, told presspersons at the Chennai airport that the ``response from the Pakistan side with regard to the next summit is that the process of engagement has started between the two countries and the dialogue should continue. The exact dates for the proposed summit are still to be sorted out.''

Core issues such as Kashmir and cross-border terrorism also figured during her discussion with her Pakistan counterpart. On the prisoners of war issue, she said, ``We did raise the subject again with them and they told us that they will look into it. And they have asked us if we could give more details.''

``I think I had a very good visit. The SAARC meeting was very constructive. We were able to complete most of our agenda,'' Ms. Iyer said.

The NDA convener and Samata Party leader, Mr. George Fernandes, welcomed Ms. Iyer's statement that there was consensus between India and Pakistan on continuing their dialogue. ``I think it is a good idea, and it is very good news,'' he said in an informal chat with presspersons at the Chennai airport. He arrived here tonight from New Delhi on a short visit.

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