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The top-level leadership of both India and Pakistan held informal discussions, on the sidelines of the ongoing SAARC summit here, on the heightened tensions between the two nations.
Confirming this, Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf said on Sunday afternoon that on various occasions over the last three days, he and Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee held informal consultations on the present tensions.
Similar discussions were held by Minister for External Affairs Jaswant Singh, and his Pakistani counterpart Abdul Sattar, Musharraf said. Interestingly, India had earlier denied that the two foreign ministers had held discussions.
While President Musharraf said he hoped that these informal consultations would result in a formal bilateral meeting in the near future, Abdul Sattar clarified that the discussions between the various leaders were not “negotiations”, but were “exploratory” in nature.
“We have been sitting together for the last two-three days. Therefore we have been talking,” Musharraf said, terming the discussions an “informal interaction.”
“I look forward to finalizing the interaction in the future, and a reduction of tension,” he added.
When asked if this -- the first direct contact Musharraf has had with Vajpayee after the failure of Agra Summit of July 14-16 last year -- was a breakthrough, the Pakistan President said, “One hopes it is a breakthrough.”
Asked whether the talks with Vajpayee had been one on one, Musharraf said, "We were closeted in a room, but there were others also." Stating that as yet, no time frame had been fixed for bilateral talks, Musharraf added, "But both the sides realize the urgency of situation.”
Assuring the media, during his briefing, that he was doing everything possible to cleanse Pakistan of extremist and terrorist elements, Musharraf said that however, Kashmir had to be discussed as an issue separate from that of terrorism.
“We must remember there is a connectivity between what is happening in Kashmir and what India calls terrorism," Musharraf said. "The problem arises when terrorist attacks are linked to the Kashmir problem, you hve to look at Kashmir as an issue in itself. You have to take a wholesome view. There is a cause and effect to it. Therefore if you want to find a lasting solution you have to look at the cause and effect.”
Calling on India to look at the “overall context of a Kashmir solution”, the Pakistan head of state said, “We understand Indian concerns on Kashmir, and we are very conscious of it. Similarly, they must understand our concerns and they must be very conscious of it.”
Welcoming the US move to appoint a special envoy for Kashmir, Musharraf said, “If two parties cannot solve their dispute, then there is the requirement of a facilitator.” Interestingly, a day earlier External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh had opposed the appointment of a US envoy for Kashmir.
Musharraf said the United States is in regular touch with the leaders of both India and Pakistan on the prevailing tensions. Asked if the US was exerting pressure on the two countries, Musharraf hedged: “If you would call someone telling us to diffuse tension and pressure, then it is.”
In a media briefing that revolved almost entirely around the problems between India and Pakistan, Musharraf said, "My government has moved towards exterminating any violence within our society, I am more than concerned about sectarian extremism, religious extremism.” Asking the world to take note of all that he was doing, Musharraf added, “We are doing it in our own national interest. But everyone should take note of it.”
Musharraf claimed that India had not handed over any evidence relating to terrorists hiding on Pakistan soil after carrying out attacks on India. Condemning the attack on the Indian Parliament as a terrorist act, the Pakistan president said, "Provide evidence against any group or any person, and I can guarantee you that I will take action, we will move according to our law. However, we are not in the business of handing over people, under pressure, to other countries," he added.
Spelling out his stand on the present India-Pakistan face-off, Musharraf said there were two immediate steps he would like to see taken. Firstly, in the immediate context, the level of tension between the two countries should be brought down. "And in the longer term, we need to address all outstanding disputes and settle them in an amicable manner."
Refusing to react to Prime Minister Vajpayee's inaugural address, wherein for the first time India directly accused Pakistan of plotting the attacks on the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly and on the Indian Parliament, Musharraf said, “If I were to react to all statements from across the border, tensions will only rise further. This kind of rhetoric must be curtailed. I will try to exercise restraint though, being a soldier, it is very difficult for me,” Musharraf said.
The Pakistan president said that action taken by both countries from here on needed to be substantive. “I do not believe in cosmetic actions like cricket and bus diplomacy. I am not in favour of peripheral actions in resolving bilateral disputes.”
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