Indian Foreign Secretary's Statement in Colombo on July 31, 1998

A stable, prosperous and secure Pakistan is in India's interest and we have always wanted peaceful and friendly ties with Pakistan and worked to develop a relationship based on trust and confidence. There are vast opportunities for cooperation in the economic, social and other sectors which can be utilized for the betterment of the lives of the two peoples. India strongly believes that for this purpose no time should be lost to put in place a stable structure of cooperation.

It may be recalled that the India-Pakistan dialogue process has traditionally been composite and broad-based. It was unfortunately interrupted in January 1994 at Pakistan behest. In spite of all our efforts, the hiatus continued for over three years. As a result of our consistent endeavors the official dialogue was resumed in March 1997.

During their meeting in June 1997, the Foreign Secretaries issued a Joint Statement identifying an agenda of 8 subjects for discussions between the two countries as well as a set of ideas regarding the modalities of these discussions. It may be noted that while the agenda was conclusively set out in the Joint Statement, the modalities had still to be finalized.

Our approach has all along been for a broad-based and composite dialogue which will move the relationship forward across a broad front. Such a comprehensive, constructive and Sustained dialogue would build mutual trust and Confidence, promote cooperation in areas of mutual benefit and address bilateral issues on which the two countries do not see eye to eye. This is in keeping with the usual pattern of inter-state relations and dialogue process which addresses the totality of the relationship. The validity of such approaches is borne out by historical experience and its rationale lies in the need to generate confidence through cooperative interaction and mechanisms such as augmenting people to people contact, encouraging trade flows and thereby helping create an environment in which the difficult and complex issues can be seriously addressed. It is also obvious that hostile and inimical activities such as the promotion and abatement of terrorism practiced by Pakistan against India erodes such an approach. Hence, it is imperative that Pakistan ceases these activities immediately.

It is our conviction that a narrow segmented approach is inherently flawed and would not sustain a dialogue process in which complex and intractable issues are to be discussed. Such an approach is therefore, counterproductive and would defeat the very purpose which a mature and balanced dialogue seeks to achieve, i.e. the building of a wide-ranging and enduring relationship. An obsessive focus on a single issue or a one point agenda is as neurotic for individuals as for nation states.

During their meeting on July 29 1998, Prime Minister of India Shri Atal Behari Vajpayee and Prime Minister of Pakistan Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif agreed that the dialogue process should move ahead and directed the Foreign Secretaries to finalize the modalities. In keeping with this directive, extensive discussions were held between the two sides. During these discussions, we emphasized that a composite dialogue process was essential in order to achieve appropriate results and establish good neighborly and meaningful relations. We have stressed that a specific, substantive and broad-based dialogue will provide a timely opportunity for a meaningful discussion on confidence building measures and peace ans security. We also stressed that India sincerely desired that all outstanding issues, including Jammu & Kashmir, should be the subject of substantive and extensive discussions as a part of a composite process. We once again pointed out the thrust and underpinnings of our composite and direct approach. We drew attention to the dangers inherent in a narrow and constricted approach which will only highlight differences and, vitiate the atmosphere and is, therefore, likely to disrupt and jeopardise the entire process. For us, the dialogue is a serious matter. It cannot be designed to pursue a limited agenda or promote a propagandist exercise.

As reiterated by our leaders on several occasions, we would like to commence the dialogue process with Pakistan on the the basis of the broad-based and composite approach outline above. Accordingly, we will continue our efforts to get this dialogue process underway at the earliest. In order to achieve the same, we will be in touch with Pakistan through diplomatic channels.