Date:30/10/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/10/30/stories/2005103015841100.htm

International - India & World

Talks between India, Pakistan on opening up LoC continue

B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD: Talks between India and Pakistan here on Saturday, to firm up the agreement for "opening" of the Line of Control (LoC) to enable Kashmiris on both sides of the divide to cross over to help the earthquake victims, continued late in the night.

Almost 12 hours after talks started, at the time of the filing of the report, both sides are striving towards a mutually acceptable joint statement detailing the modalities on easing the LoC.

Pakistan's contention

Indications are that Pakistan sought more time to consider new Indian proposals. Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Tasneem Aslam maintained that the Indian delegation sought time at the end of the third round. "They wanted to go to the Indian High Commission. It is our expectation that they would return. We are waiting to hear from them," she said.

While Pakistan sought to give an impression that the Indian side would like more consultations before returning to the negotiating table, indications from the Indian delegation were that it had submitted a few proposals for consideration by Islamabad and awaited its response.

Dilip Sinha, Joint Secretary in the External Affairs Ministry, led the Indian side while the Pakistani delegation was headed by Ibne Abbas, Director-General of South Asia Division in the Pakistan Foreign Ministry.

Proposals on routes

Prior to the meeting both sides have already exchanged proposals on the routes that could be used to facilitate cross over of Kashmiris. However there was still no clarity, particularly on the Pakistani side, on the nature of assistance it expected from India on the identified routes along the LoC.

India has already opened relief camps at three points — Aman Setu in Uri, Teetwal in Tangdhar and Chakan Da Bagh in Poonch — on the LoC. New Delhi has said that quake victims from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir could come over and avail medical treatment and relief material.

Pakistan has suggested five locations along the LoC. Pakistan does not appear enthusiastic over the idea of relief from the Indian side of the LoC. This was evident from comments made by Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz in Moscow on Thursday as well as a press statement put out by the Foreign Ministry.

The Foreign Office spokesperson said relief was being provided by the Pakistani Army and the country's relief agencies along the LoC in Neelum and Jhelum Valleys. The two valleys close to the LoC were cut off with key roads blocked by landslips.