Pak, Indian FMs take up anti-terror fight

TRIESTE, Italy, (Reuters/Online) - The foreign ministers of India and Pakistan met in Italy on the sidelines of the G8 foreign ministers summit on Friday and discussed a host of issues with special focus on terrorism, composite dialogue and strained ties, in the second high-level bilateral talks since Novembers Mumbai attacks.
Talking to media after the meeting wit his Indian counterpart SM Krishna, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said the discussion was held in a cordial atmosphere, saying that Pakistan had observed positive change in Indias attitude regarding solution of various problems.
He described the talks between the two nuclear rivals as a friendly and fair exchange, and told reporters that discussions included the fight against terrorism.
I think both sides realise that they have a common interest, a common enemy and they have to move on in a cooperative environment, Qureshi said, in the northern city of Trieste.
We have to engage to defeat the designs of terrorists.
He said the issue of halted composite dialogue between the two countries was also discussed and expressed the hope that the date for restoration of process would be announced soon.
Answering a question, the FM said both Pakistan and India should resolve their issues bilaterally, however, if friendly countries wanted to play their role then it would not be unusual.
Indian External Affairs Minister SM Krishna acknowledged that bilateral ties have remained under considerable stress. He said an upcoming meeting of Pakistani and Indian foreign secretaries would look at cooperation on terrorism.
Monitoring Desk adds: India conveyed to Pakistan that bilateral ties were under considerable stress due to terrorism emanating from its soil. Both sides reviewed the current status of Indo-Pak relations, reported Press Trust of India (PTI).
These (relations) have remained under considerable stress and the primary cause of this is the terrorist attacks on India, by elements based in Pakistan, Krishna told reporters after the meeting.
He said Qureshi and he agreed, however, that there was vast potential that existed in India-Pakistan relations. I conveyed the sentiments of our Prime Minister that we stand ready to meet Pakistan more than half way to utilise and harness that potential for our mutual benefit. At the same time, we have to address centrally why our relations come under stress recurrently, Krishna said.
He also told his Pakistani counterpart that the forthcoming meeting of foreign secretaries, as was decided by our leaders in Russia, is important as it will enable us to take stock of where we stand on the issue of terrorism and the fulfilment by Pakistan of its assurance that its territory would not be used for terrorist attacks on India.