India ready to write a new chapter in relations: Krishna

India ready to write a new chapter in relations: Krishna

* Indian FM says no precondition for Singh’s forthcoming visit to Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Indian External Affairs Minister SM Krishna on Saturday said they are committed to moving forward in order to write a new chapter of peace and cooperation in their relationship. He was addressing a joint press conference after his meeting with Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar. Krishna said they were reasonably satisfied at the progress achieved in the last round of resumed dialogue. He said they had agreed that terrorism posed threat to peace and security and reaffirmed strong commitment of the two countries to fighting terrorism in an effective manner. He said Pakistan has reiterated its commitment to bring all perpetrators of Mumbai attack to justice. The Indian minister thanked President Asif Zardari for ordering release of all Indian fishermen and hoped that all the boats and other equipments of these fishermen would also be released. Krishna said the two countries had decided to convene separate meetings of the expert groups on nuclear and conventional confidence building measures in New Delhi in the second half of December this year. He said they reviewed the existing cross-LoC confidence building measures on travel and trade. Krishna said the two sides also discussed measures for promoting cooperation in various fields including facilitating visits to religious shrines, media exchanges and cessation of hostile propaganda against each other. He said the two countries are looking forward to launching of next round of secretaries-level dialogue on all eight segments. Schedule for these meetings would be worked out through diplomatic channels but these would be held before next meeting of the foreign ministers in New Delhi next year. To a question, he said Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh had not attached any precondition for his forthcoming visit to Pakistan. He explained that the prime minister wanted to visit Pakistan that there should be something worthwhile will come forward for his visit. He said he would submit the report of his present visit to the premier then he would decide to finalise the date for his visit to Pakistan. staff report