The Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan on Wednesday used the World Cup cricket semi-final between the two nations to hold a “wide-ranging conversation” and decided to take forward the recently started dialogue process to achieve “more permanent normalisation of relations in an uninterrupted manner.”
“The goal of this conversation was normalisation of ties and cricket provided the setting and the locale of the meeting,” Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao told newspersons after a dinner meeting between Prime Ministers Manmohan Singh and Yousuf Raza Gilani.
However, officials, as was the case on previous occasions, declined to spell out any of the security and terrorism-related issues that were discussed between the two leaders. They also declined to spell out the areas of differences either.
“Mohali spirit”
“It will be fair to say that just as we spoke of the Thimphu spirit last April, it would be appropriate to say this is the Mohali spirit. An extra positive and encouraging spirit has been generated due to today's [Wednesday's] meeting,” said the Foreign Secretary.
The Prime Minister spoke in the same vein at the dinner. “We should put our ancient animosities behind to attend to the problems of our nation. We have the will to persevere; we have the will to overcome. We should be working together to find cooperative solutions as we need permanent reconciliation to live together in dignity and honour.”
Gilani's invitation
Mr. Gilani expressed the hope that the Indian cricket team would play in Pakistan as part of the process and invited Dr. Singh to visit the country. The two leaders also discussed the situation in the Middle East, where both countries have large expatriate populations sending remittances back home.
Officials utilised the occasion to point out that the dialogue process was set in motion with a meeting between the Home Secretaries. “The meeting saw a very positive round of discussions. There are a number of issues flowing from that meeting. We intend to follow up. This would generate positive momentum,” they said.
Malik's tweet
The tone for a cordial round of talks was set by the visiting Pakistan delegation. Interior Minister Rehman Malik tweeted, “Landed in incredible India,” soon after the Pakistan Air Force plane taxied at the Indian Air Force base in Chandigarh. However, as some Indian tweeters came out with acerbic replies, Mr. Malik deleted the tweet.
But the attempt by the spoilsports was more than made up by other tweeters, who welcomed the Pakistan delegation. This led to Mr. Malik resuming his tweet, saying: “Great landing in India. Thanks for all your countless welcome messages.”
At the stadium, the Prime Ministers were introduced to the players and umpires and led to their seats near the players' pavilion.
A conversation
The Foreign Secretary pointed out that the interaction between the two leaders was a “conversation and not talks in the orthodox sense of the word” and “reengagement” was aimed at both countries “engaging directly to seek cooperative solutions to problems confronting both countries.”
Ms. Rao said a series of line Ministry meetings would take place and both Foreign Secretaries would hold a wrap-up meeting towards the middle of this year. This would be followed by an interaction between the Foreign Ministers.
Good augury for future
“This is a good augury for the future. The meeting of Prime Ministers once again affirmed the intention of both governments to take forward the process of dialogue to understand each other and to resolve all issues. Every such political-level summit meeting generates an extra positive momentum it imparts to the relationship,” Ms. Rao said.
