NEW DELHI: India last week formally called for a wide-ranging and comprehensive dialogue with Pakistan and the resumption of foreign secretary level talks between the two countries. While responding positively to Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto’s offer for talks, New Delhi has however asserted that the dialogue should address all issues of mutual concern and not be confined to the “core issue” of Kashmir as proposed by Islamabad.

Ina letter to Bhutto, Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda has expressed India’s willingness to work together with Pakistan to resolve all issues, including those on which the two countries “might have differing perceptions” along the lines of the earlier bilateral dialogue at the foreign secretary level stalled in January 1994. Gowda’s reply dispatched last week, said he “shared” the sentiments expressed by Bhutto on the need for peaceful and construct relations and said his government was ready to work together with Pakistan “to address all issues of mutual concern.”

“The bilateral approaches and agreements which have been devised earlier can guide us in our future exchanges on all matters including those on which we might have differing perceptions,” Gowda said.

Gowda was responding to a message sent by Bhutto earlier last week felicitating him on assuming office in which she suggested that the bilateral dialogue be resumed. 7 Prime Minister Gowda’s letter also calls for encouraging trade, economic and cultural contacts describing these as the “sure foundations on which the relationship between our two counties can flourish.” Gowda’s proposal to revive the foreign secretary level dialogue was also reiterated last week in a message from External Affairs Minister LK. Gujral 0 his Pakistani counterpart, Sardar Assef Ali, in his letter, Gujral said officials from the two countries should meet soon and “engage themselves in the task of addressing our bilateral issues, including those on which » we may not see eye to eye.”

Gowda’s response to Islamabad’s overtures is being viewed by foreign policy experts and Pakistan watchers here with a degree of cautious optimism.

Article extracted from this publication >>  June 12, 1996