Pakistan Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir with Indian External Affairs Minister S M Krishna

NEW DELHI: Pakistan Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir called on Indian External Affairs Minister S M Krishna on Friday.

According to sources, in the meeting they exchanged views over the secretaries level talks held on Thursday. Pakistan handed over a road map for composite dialogue to India and made it clear that composite dialogue is the only way to resolve issues. Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir said Pakistan is always ready to hold talks with India.

Pakistan also proposed a meeting of Foreign Ministers of Pakistan and India prior to SAARC Conference whereas India wants phase-wise progress in the dialogues.

Talks for sake of talks useless: Salman Bashir

He was talking to reporters at the Wagah border crossing on his return from New Delhi. He described his talks in Delhi as exploratory.

“There were two objectives of our meetings with Indian officials. One, we wanted to determine if there is any significant change in the Indian attitude and position or not. Two, we wanted to determine how can the two countries move forward and improve bilateral relations.”

He said the two countries agreed that regression in ties must be reversed with positive steps. Pakistan on its part, he added, had been consistently underscoring the importance of talks as the only way forward.

“But unstructured talks for the sake of talks, though important, will not produce any long-term results. It is crucial that India agrees to restore Composite Dialogue to move forward,” he emphasised.

About the atmosphere of mistrust prevailing in India Bashir said Indian officials and media held Islamabad responsible for their problems. “They want to move gradually for restoring trust and confidence between the two countries.

On the contrary, we are of the view that restoration of Composite Dialogue will immediately help reinstate the environment of trust and confidence. Indian insistence on restricting talks to terrorism alone will not solve the matters,” he said.

He observed that Indian perception about Pakistan was not based on facts. “It is in their own interest to revisit their facts. Indian politicians and media should help dispel negative perception about Pakistan. The ball is now in their court.”

Bashir said that Pakistan had suggested higher-level meetings while continuing with secretary-level talks.

However, he added, they had not decided any date for future talks. About the Kashmir issue, Bashir said: “Pakistan has made it clear to India that Kashmir is an international issue since the passage of the UN Security Council resolutions on it (in 1948) and international intervention is required for its settlement.

Bashir sought to dispel impression prevailing in India that Islamabad was desperate for resumption of talks. “Until now we have talked of dialogue and engagement. But now I have told them (the Indians) that we are not in a hurry.

If they are ready for dialogue we will also be willing for it because it is the only way forward,” he said. During his stay in New Delhi, Bashir also met Indian Foreign Minister S.M. Krishna.