Click to play videoNew Delhi: The meeting between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Pakistani counterpart Yousuf Raza Gilani ended on a positive note in the Egyptian resort town of Sharm-el-Sheikh on Thursday.
Singh and Gilani said the meeting was "cordial and constructive."
Both countries agreed in a joint statement that terrorism is the main threat to India and Pakistan. They recognised that dialogue is the only way out in this regard.
However, there has been no announcement of resumption of the composite dialogue.
Singh was at pains to clarify that action against perpetrators of the terrorist attacks in Mumbai was necessary but the joint statement shows that both countries have softened on earlier positions.
India, for one, has agreed not to bracket Pakistan's action on terror with the overall dialogue process between the two countries. It has also allowed mention of a real-time sharing of intelligence, which Pakistan had been demanding.
India has also allowed mention in the statement of Pakistan's separatist trouble in Balochistan province. That’s significant, as Islamabad has often accused India of helping the Baloch nationalists.
Pakistan has made major climb downs, too. For the first time ever, there is no direct mention of Jammu and Kashmir in a joint statement. The statement contains mention of the Mumbai attacks.
The statement says there will be future engagement between the countries’ Foreign Secretaries and Ministers, but has no mention of talks between top political leadership.
Singh reiterated the need to bring the perpetrators of the Mumbai attacks to justice. Gilani assured that Pakistan will do everything in its power in this regard. He said that Pakistan has provided an updated status dossier on the investigations of the Mumbai attacks and had sought additional information and evidence.
Both leaders agreed that the two countries will share real time, credible and actionable information on any future terrorist threats.
The 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. Manmohan Singh said that India was ready to discuss all issues with Pakistan, including all outstanding issues.
Gilani and Singh met on the sidelines of a summit of the Non-Aligned Movement.
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