[1]In yet another attempt to provoke India ahead of the two-day foreign secretary level talks between the two nations, Pakistan’s foreign secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani on Tuesday met Kashmiri separatist leaders here on his arrival.
India, on its part, has called on Pakistan to do more on the issue of terrorism that originates from its territory even as it asserted that the menace has not been allowed to come in the way of talks between the two nations.
Even as Mr Jilani declared that he has been mandated by his leadership to take the peace process forward and was looking forward to a constructive dialogue with his counterpart Ranjan Mathai, his meeting with separatists has not gone down well with the ministry of external affairs.
On his arrival he said, “Let me tell you that I have brought a message of goodwill, peace and prosperity from the people of Pakistan for the people of India and the leadership of India. I’m looking forward to a constr-uctive dialogue with my co-unterpart Ranjan Mathai.”
He further said, “During our talks, we will discuss peace and security, Jammu and Kashmir and promotion of friendly exchanges.”
During the course of the day, Mr Jilani met separa-tist leaders Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Syed Ali Shah Gee-lani and Yasin Malik separately. Batting for the resolution of the Kashmiri dispute, Mr Farooq said, “We stressed the need to push for a final resolution to the dispute during our interaction.”
“Relations between India and Pakistan cannot be strong enough till the Kashmir issue is resolved,” Mr Geelani added. Yasin Malik also called upon both sides to seize the opportunity and resolve the Kashmir issue.
India for its part is expected to raise the issue of terrorism, revelations by Abu Jundal and the release of Sarabjit Singh with Pakistan.
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[1] http://archive.asianage.com/fsjpgcropdisplayjpg-743