New Delhi:
In July 2009, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh held talks with his Pakistani counterpart Yousuf Raza Gilani at the Egyptian resort Sharm-al-Sheikh. A joint statement was issued at the end of the talks, delinking composite dialogue from Pakistan's action on terror. The statement also included a reference to Baluchistan, the first-such mention in an India-Pakistan joint statement.
India's position has been that there can be no composite dialogue and a channel of communication can open only when Pakistan takes credible action against the perpetrators of the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai.
Sharm-al-Sheikh came only months after the Mumbai attacks and the Opposition was up in arms accusing the UPA government of compromising India's interests and "selling out" to Pakistan. "Waters of the seven seas will not be able to wash the shame," was the BJP's reaction in Parliament.
The mention of Baluchistan is significant because Pakistan has for long accused India of supporting insurgency there.
The government's spin doctors then launched a damage-control exercise to limit the embarrassment of the badly-drafted joint statement. The Congress leadership, after some moments of disquiet, finally strongly supported Manmohan Singh's position that India could not refuse to talk to Pakistan.
In Parliament, Manmohan Singh made a statement: "We do not dilute our positions or our resolve to defeat terrorism by talking to any country. Other major powers affected by Pakistan-based terrorism are also engaging with Pakistan. Unless we talk directly to Pakistan, we will have to rely on third parties to do so. That route, I submit to this August House, has very severe limitations as to its effectiveness, and for the longer term the involvement of foreign powers in South Asia is not something to our liking.
I say with strength and conviction that dialogue and engagement is the best way forward."
The following is the text of the joint statement issued after Sharm-al-Sheikh talks:
The Prime Minister of India, Manmohan Singh, and the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, met in Sharm-al-Sheikh on July 16, 2009.
The two Prime Ministers had a cordial and constructive meeting. They considered the entire gamut of bilateral relations with a view to charting the way forward in India-Pakistan relations. Both leaders agreed that terrorism is the main threat to both countries. Both leaders affirmed their resolve to fight terrorism and to cooperate with each other to this end.
Prime Minister Singh reiterated the need to bring the perpetrators of the Mumbai attack to justice. Prime Minister Gilani assured that Pakistan will do everything in its power in this regard. He said that Pakistan had provided an updated status dossier on the investigations of the Mumbai attacks and had sought additional information/evidence. Prime Minister Singh said that the dossier is being reviewed.
Both leaders agreed that the two countries will share real time, credible and actionable information on any future terrorist threats.
Prime Minister Gilani mentioned that Pakistan has some information on threats in Baluchistan and other areas.
Both Prime Ministers recognised that dialogue is the only way forward. Action on terrorism should not be linked to the composite dialogue process and these should not be bracketed. Prime Minister Singh said that India was ready to discuss all issues with Pakistan, including all outstanding issues.
Prime Minister Singh reiterated India's interest in a stable, democratic, Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
Both leaders agreed that the real challenge is development and the elimination of poverty.
Both leaders resolved to eliminate those factors which prevent our countries from realizing their full potential. Both agreed to work to create an atmosphere of mutual trust and confidence.
Both leaders reaffirmed their intention to promote regional cooperation.
Both foreign secretaries should meet as often as necessary and report to the two foreign ministers who will be meeting on the sidelines of the forthcoming UN General Assembly.