Saran to review dialogue in Islamabad today

* Format of composite dialogue process may be changed

By Iftikhar Gilani

NEW DELHI: Indian Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran will leave for Islamabad today (Wednesday) to join his Pakistani counterpart Riaz Mohamamad Khan in the review of the two-round composite dialogue process, two weeks ahead of Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and President Pervez Musharraf’s meeting in New York.

Sources said that both sides might consider changing the format of the composite dialogue process, which has continued for the past two years.

Official sources said that the foreign secretaries would meet for a ‘wrap-up’ session of the second round of the composite dialogue process that had started in December. Both secretaries will take stock of the current status of the peace process. They will assess the progress made during the second round of the dialogue, and will outline the course to move the dialogue process forward, sources said. Saran said that there had been “noticeable progress” in some of the issues discussed under the composite dialogue framework. “Perhaps, we will still need to carry on the composite dialogue, but in a somewhat different format,” he said. Saran said that no definitive decisions had been taken on this issue. “I think we really need to have a fuller exchange of views in Islamabad when I am there”.

During the talks, the Indian side is likely to press for the speedy handover of the so-called fugitives sheltering in Pakistan, and raise the issue of releasing prisoners. The foreign secretaries will finalise an agenda for the meeting of their foreign ministers and heads of government. External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh will meet his Pakistani counterpart Khurshid M Kasuri in Islamabad on October 4.

The foreign secretaries of the two countries initiated the second round of the dialogue on December 27 in Islamabad, where they discussed peace and security, including confidence-building measures, and Jammu and Kashmir.

Five other subjects in the composite dialogue framework – Siachen, Tulbul Navigation Project, Sir Creek, economic and commercial cooperation and promotion of friendly exchanges – were discussed in subsequent meetings taking place since May. The home secretaries of the two countries held extensive discussions on a sixth subject of terrorism and drug trafficking.

Earlier, the two foreign secretaries had planned to meet on the sidelines of the SAARC Standing Committee to be held in Islamabad on August 17. It was, however, put off due to the assassination of Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar in Colombo. Sources said that India might raise the issue of transit facility for Indian goods to Afghanistan, Gulf and Central Asia via Pakistan once again. During talks with Afghan President Hamid Karzai in Kabul on Sunday, Singh had emphasised that Pakistan should come on board on the transit issue.

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