New Delhi, July 4 (IBNS) Indian Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai and his Pakistani counterpart Jalil Abbas Jilani began their talks Wednesday morning at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi.
As is customary on such occasions, they were assisted by senior officials of both sides, including the Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan Sharat Sabharwal and Pakistan’s High Commissioner- designate to India Salman Bashir.
"The Foreign Secretaries along with their respective delegations have had two full sessions of detailed discussions covering all aspects of the agenda under the items Peace and Security as well as Jammu and Kashmir," said an official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
"The talks started at 10.30 am and spread until a short time earlier, with a brief working lunch. The Foreign Secretaries also utilized the opportunity of the working lunch to cover a wide variety of issues," the spokesperson said.
At the end of the two sessions on Wednesday, the Foreign Secretaries have agreed to resume the talks on Thursday in the morning with a view to completing all the items scheduled for consideration.
"The talks tomorrow will be followed by a Joint Media Interaction. Subsequently, the visiting Pakistani Foreign Secretary will call upon the External Affairs Minister Shri S.M. Krishna at his office in South Block. At the culmination of the official engagements of the Pakistani Foreign Secretary in India a Joint Statement will be issued," said the spokesperson.
When asked about the details of Wednesday's meeting, the spokesperson told reporters: "I am aware that many of you have numerous questions and queries on the discussions. However, since the discussions are ongoing, I am not at liberty to respond to your legitimate questions today."
"You will surely be provided an opportunity tomorrow morning to pose questions to the two Foreign Secretaries who have graciously agreed to respond to a few questions. I therefore request you to kindly wait till tomorrow for the media interaction and the issuance of the Joint Statement," he said.
