Resumption of Indo-Pak dialogue positive development: Qureshi

Islamabad: Pakistan on Friday said the decision for resumption of Indo-Pak dialogue after two years is a "positive development" and the process will have constructive effects.

Welcoming the progress in interactions between the two countries, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said the Foreign Secretaries of Pakistan and India met in Thimphu on February 6 to "carry forward this process" and subsequently briefed their respective governments.

The decision by both countries to resume their dialogue is a "positive development", Qureshi said.

After the suspension of talks in 2008, efforts were on through diplomatic channels to resume the dialogue process, he added.

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"Finally, it has been decided by India and Pakistan that all outstanding issues, including Kashmir, will be discussed and the dialogue process will be resumed," he said.

"Now, a formal announcement has been made about the resumption of the dialogue process which remained suspended after the tragic Mumbai incident," he told state-run PTV shortly after the two countries unveiled plans to revive their peace process.

Qureshi said before a meeting of the Foreign Ministers in India, meetings at the level of secretaries will be convened to discuss issues like counter-terrorism, humanitarian matters and peace and security.

The meetings will also focus on confidence-building measures, including those in Kashmir, promotion of friendly exchanges, Siachen, economic issues, Wullar Barrage-Tulbul Navigation Project and Sir Creek, he said.

Appreciating the move to resume dialogue, Qureshi said: "Dialogue is the only way forward."

The move to revive parleys is a "big breakthrough and the dialogue process will have constructive effects", he said.

Pakistan wants to be a "sincere neighbour" and wishes to add a new chapter in Indo-Pakistan relations, he added.

India, Pakistan agree to resume peace talks

In a separate development, Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit told PTV that all outstanding issues, including Kashmir, will be discussed in the upcoming talks with India.

Prior to the Foreign Minister's visit to India, the meetings of secretaries will finalise the agenda for the meeting of the Foreign Ministers, he said.

"We are hopeful of progress in the talks between the two countries," Basit said.

The resumption of the dialogue process between India and Pakistan is a good omen for both countries, he added.