New Delhi, July 5 (IBNS): The issue of arrested key plotter of 2008 Mumbai attacks Abu Jundal figured during the two-day India-Pakistan Foreign Secretary level talks at the end of which Pakistan Foreign Secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani on Thursday said his country would investigate on any information shared with them on the terrorist.
He, also, categorically ruled out any state actor in Pakistan being involved in the 26/11 attack.
At a joint press briefing with Indian Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai after their two-day talks at foreign secretary level, Jilani without taking the name of Jundal said: "The issue was extensively discussed and I assured him [Mathai} that [if] the evidence will be shared with us we will investigate into the matter."
He said Pakistan has agreed even for a joint investigation into the matter.
The two foreign secretaries said all matters, including terrorism, were discussed in their two-day talks.
“The talks were held in a frank and constructive atmosphere. Both sides reiterated their desire to carry forward the dialogue process in a purposeful and result-oriented manner,” read a joint statement.
The issue of Peace and Security, including Confidence Building Measures (CBM)s, was discussed in a comprehensive manner, it said.
“Both sides emphasized the need to promote greater trust and mutual understanding through constructive dialogue,” it said.
“The Foreign Secretaries reviewed the ongoing implementation of the already adopted Nuclear and Conventional CBMs. It was decided that separate meetings of the Expert Level Groups on Nuclear and Conventional CBMs will be held to discuss implementation and strengthening of the existing CBMs and suggest additional mutually acceptable steps that could build greater trust and confidence between the two countries, thereby contributing to peace and security” read the statement.
The dates for the meetings of Expert Level Groups will be determined through diplomatic channels,” the statement said.
The Foreign Secretaries noted that both countries recognize that terrorism poses a continuing threat to peace and security.
"We both think terrorism is common enemy because we are both suffering from it. If we keep exchanging allegations there is no point in it and we can neither reach a solution. We are serious about it and we want to go towards a positive narrative," Jilani said in Urdu.
They reaffirmed the strong commitment of the two countries to fight and eliminate terrorism in an effective and comprehensive manner so as to eliminate the scourge in all its forms and manifestations.
The Pakistan Foreign Secretary strongly denied any hand of state actor in the 26/11 attack amid allegations of a control room in Pakistan during the siege of Mumbai in November 2008.
He said he strongly rejects any insinuation towards any state agency.
He said Pakistan over the years have cooperated and any gap left in that would be addressed with more cooperation.
"That is the way to move forward," he said.
The Foreign Secretaries had a comprehensive exchange of views on the issue of Jammu & Kashmir and agreed to continue discussions in a purposeful and forward looking manner with the view to finding a peaceful solution by narrowing divergences and building convergences.
“Both sides recognized the need to strengthen the existing Cross-LoC CBMs for streamlining the arrangements to facilitate travel and trade across LOC. They decided to convene a meeting of the Working Group on Cross-LoC CBMs on July 19, 2012 in Islamabad to recommend steps for strengthening and streamlining and effectively implementing the existing trade and travel arrangements and propose modalities for introducing additional cross LoC CBMs,” read the statement.
Both sides underlined the importance of greater people to people contacts and friendly exchanges in building a relationship of trust and friendship between the two countries.
They noted that the text of a revised bilateral Visa Agreement has already been finalized and decided to work for its early signing.
They emphasized the importance of greater parliamentary exchanges; promotion of cooperation in various fields including facilitating visits to religious shrines and cessation of hostile propaganda against each other.
They also emphasized the need to promote media and sports contacts.
Indian Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai and his Pakistani counterpart Jalil Abbas Jilani held talks on Wednesday and Thursday at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi under the shadow on the arrest of Abu Jundal who spilled the beans on the presence of ISI involvement in the Mumbai attack.
The Foreign Secretaries will meet again in Islamabad, on a date to be decided through diplomatic channels, to prepare for the meeting of the Foreign Ministers in Sept 2012.
