“That would be a fitting tribute to Ms Benazir Bhutto’s memory and her legacy,” Mr Mukherjee said after arriving in Islamabad.
“Her loss is still a fresh wound. Not just Pakistan, but our entire region has lost a charismatic leader of great promise, foresight and capability,” he added.Mr Mukherjee is visiting Pakistan to resume the bilateral “composite dialogue” process.On Wednes-day he will hold talks with his Pakistani counterpart, Mr Makhdoom Shah Mah-mood Qureshi.
They will review the composite dialogue process and discuss the modalities of commencing the fifth round of the talks.
Mr Mukherjee said India looks forward to continuing the talks in a spirit of cooperation, trust and pragmatism, but added a caveat that “this is predicated on an atmosphere free from terrorism, violence or the threat of it.” Mr Mukherjee met Pakistan People’s Party cochairman Asif Ali Zardari soon after reaching Islamabad.
He also met Pakistan Muslim League (N) leader and former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.He is expected to call on Awami Nati-onal Party leader Asfandyar Wali Khan, who is a member of the ruling coalition.Mr Khan is the grandson of the legendary Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan.
Mr Mukherjee will call on Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf and Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani on Wednesday.
Mr Mukherjee said he would be looking forward to get a sense of how a “new democratic environment” in Pakistan would help the two countries in addressing various issues related to peace, stability and economic development.
Wednesday’s talks between Mr Mukherjee and Mr Qureshi will be the first formal high-level political contact between the two countries after the recently concluded election in Pakistan, which saw the formation of a democratically-elected government there.
According to sources tracking India’s engagement of Pakistan, the Indian side would be particularly interested in hearing from the Pakistan government on the Kashmir issue. New Delhi would want to know whether the new, democratically-elected government in Pakistan will want to pursue Pervez Musharraf’s four-point Kashmir plan or whether it will make any new proposals. The four-point plan comprised withdrawal of troops, local self-governance, no change in the border, and a joint supervision mechanism involving India and Pakistan.
Mr Mukherjee said several proposals in the political, economic and regional fields are on the anvil for consideration and implementation. An Associated Press of Pakistan report said Pakistan and India have finalised a consular access agreement to facilitate the early release of prisoners following their identification.
The APP report quoted an unidentified Pakistan foreign ministry official as saying that Pakistan has presented 15 proposals to the Indian side on the eight issues of the composite dialogue process. According to the official, both sides agreed to put the Siachen and Sir Creek issues on the “fast track”. The APP report cited the official as suggesting India and Pakistan were closer to an agreement on the Sir Creek issue after the joint survey and preparation of agreed maps. On the issue of handing over Jinnah House in Mumbai to Pakistan so that it can open a consulate in it, the Indian side said the case is pending with the Supreme Court, the report added.
Earlier in the day, the foreign secretaries of India and Pakistan met to review the fourth round of the composite dialogue process.
A statement issued by the Pakistan foreign ministry said Mr Shivshankar Menon and his Pakistani counterpart Salman Bashir “expressed satisfaction at the progress made so far and exchanged views on carrying forward the composite dialogue process.” The talks were held in a friendly and constructive atmosphere, the statement added.
In the meeting, Mr Menon said he raised the issue of firing by Pakistani troops along the Line of Control (LoC).
“Both sides made it clear that they attach great importance to the ceasefire and they want to make it hold,” he said.Mr Menon said the matter had also been taken up by the directors-general of military operations and both sides are committed to maintaining the ceasefire, which came into force in November 2003. India has been concerned by the recent incidents of firing on its soldiers from across the LoC. There have been three such incidents since May 8, and an Indian soldier was killed on Monday.
India and Pakistan launched the composite dialogue process in 2004. It comprises eight subjects: Peace and security including confidence-building measures; Jammu and Kashmir; Siachen; Sir Creek; Tulbul navigation project/Wullar barrage; terrorism and drug trafficking; economic and commercial cooperation; and promotion of friendly exchanges in various fields. The fourth round concluded in October 2007.