Pakistan, India to Cooperate on Counterrorism, Trade

Posted June 24th, 2011 at 10:50 am (UTC-5)
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Nuclear-armed rivals India and Pakistan have wrapped up two days of peace talks, with both nations pledging to work together to fight the “scourge” of terrorism and boost trade.

The talks between Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao and her Pakistani counterpart Salman Bashir, which ended Friday in Islamabad, also focused on the disputed region of Kashmir.

In a joint statement, both foreign secretaries agreed to continue to find a peaceful solution to the dispute, while pursuing ways to promote trade and travel across the Line of Control, which divides Kashmir between India and Pakistan.

The nations have fought two of their three wars over the Himalayan region. Indian Foreign Secretary Rao told reporters during a joint press briefing that the “ideology of military conflict should not have any place in the paradigm of our relationship” in the 21st century.

Pakistani Foreign Secretary Bashir called the talks productive and constructive.

Both sides also agreed to build confidence on their nuclear and conventional weapons capability and take other measures to build trust and promote peace.

India and Pakistan resumed a formal peace process earlier this year, which was broken off following the 2008 terrorist attacks on the Indian city of Mumbai. India blamed the siege, which killed 166 people, on Pakistan-based militants.

The foreign secretaries are set to meet again in New Delhi before scheduled talks between the Indian and Pakistani foreign ministers in July.