Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh have vowed to open a new chapter in bilateral relationship.
In an hour-long meeting, prior to the opening of the 17th summit of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc), the two prime ministers predicted more constructive and result-oriented talks in the near future.
However, the Indian side has made it clear to the Pakistani side that unless there is some action against Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jamaatud Dawa, it wouldn’t be possible for the two nations to move forward together.
“The discussions between the two countries had yielded positive results, but more needed to be done,” Manmohan Singh said.
While Prime Minister Gilani added: “The next round of talks will be more positive, more constructive and will open a new chapter in the history of both countries.”
Despite the public willingness to open a ‘new chapter’ in ties, are the talks at the Saarc Summit once again mere lip service?
Will they, like previous efforts, fail in resuming a proper dialogue?
More importantly, is the crackdown on Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jamaatud Dawa the only obstacle in Pak-India ties?
Dawn.com invites its readers to give their views and suggestions.
The government of Pakistan must declare religious extremism as “haram”, ban all religious parties involved in terrorism, and destroy their bases used for training and attacks on other countries. This is must end forthwith or expect retribution from other countries. Over 35,000 Pakistanis have been killed, the economy is devastated, Pakistan has suffered more than any other country in this global war. The people of Pakistan want peace and friendship with all. Islam is a religion of peace and brotherhood.
sensible !
Absolutely. Bring those savages behind bars.
These extremist organizations must be eliminated for good. For peace and prosperity of both nations these extremist are an obstruction.
Its not the only knot but definatly the correct step in the correct direction. Today Pakistan stands at the cusp where its destiny for the next 10 yeats shall be decided. It can either choose to replace one friend cum financer ie America with another friend cum financer ie China to further its own enshrined foreign policy or it can truly make peace with India and get a real friend in every sense. We have the same culture, food, language and ofcourse corruption. Together we can progress for all respecting each other as opposed to calling terrorist organisations ‘strategic assetts’.
Very True…