ISAS Briefs

The message emanating from Islamabad after two days (20 and 21 May 2008) of meeting between Foreign Ministers and Foreign Secretaries of India and Pakistan to review the ‘composite dialogue’ and the ‘peace process’ between the two adversarial South Asian neighbours appears to be reassuring, at least on the face of it. Pakistan’s Foreign Minister, Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi, assured that a “grand reconciliation in resolving all outstanding issues” was Pakistan’s promise, adding that “we are ready to solve all issues with self-respect and dignity for peace, stability and the development of the region”. Endorsing the sentiments of his hosts, the Indian Foreign Minister, Pranab Mukherji, said, “I found a strong willingness and desire on Pakistani side towards full normalisation of relations… Secure, stable and prosperous India and Pakistan are in our mutual interest and good for our relations”.