India, Pakistan pledge to maintain ceasefire
India and Pakistan pledged Thursday to maintain a ceasefire after
resuming talks as part of their slow-moving peace process but reported
no specific progress on issues under discussion.
A joint statement said a meeting between mid-ranking diplomats here
was “cordial and constructive,” despite fresh accusations from India
ahead of the talks of Pakistani support for terror groups.
“Consultations continued with the aim of strengthening the ongoing
process of confidence building,” the statement said. “The two sides
reiterated their commitment to uphold the ceasefire.”
The nuclear-armed neighbours have observed a ceasefire since November
2003 along the Line of Control, the de facto frontier dividing the
region of Kashmir, the trigger of two of their three wars since 1947.
The Indian foreign ministry said earlier the day-long meeting would
focus on reducing tensions along maritime borders and the repatriation
of people who inadvertently stray across land frontiers.
At present, fishermen, farmers or other people caught by Indian or
Pakistani coast guards or border troops are usually suspected of being
spies and can languish in prison in legal limbo even after serving
sentences.
The statement did not say if any progress was made on these or any
other issues. The talks were followed on Friday by discussions on
nuclear safeguards, or ways of keeping their respective nuclear arsenals
under control.
On Monday, Indian and Pakistani officials will revisit efforts to put
in place a regular joint anti-terrorism mechanism designed to share
intelligence on militant activity.
The latest round of talks came in the wake of renewed accusations
from New Delhi that Islamabad continues to support terrorist attacks in
India.
New Delhi, Friday, AFP
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