Text of India-Pakistan statement

Foreign secretaries Shashank (L) and Riaz Khokhar in Islamabad

The following is the full joint statement issued at the end of talks between the Pakistani and Indian foreign secretaries in Islamabad on Wednesday.

"The foreign secretaries of Pakistan and India met on 18 February, 2004.

They reviewed and endorsed the agreement worked out at the Director General/Joint Secretary meetings on 16 and 17 February on the modalities and timeframe for discussion on all subjects on the agenda of the composite dialogue.

Both sides agreed that they would approach the composite dialogue with the sincere desire to discuss and arrive at a peaceful settlement of all bilateral issues, including Jammu and Kashmir to the satisfaction of both sides.

They reiterated their commitment to promote progress towards the common objective of peace, security and economic development for their people and for future generations.

They agreed to the following schedule of meetings:

• Foreign secretaries would meet in May/June, 2004, for talks on peace and security including CBMs (confidence-building measures) and Jammu and Kashmir

• Talks on Siachen; Wullar barrage; Sir Creek; terrorism and drug trafficking; economic and commercial co-operation; and promotion of friendly exchanges in various fields would be held at the already agreed levels, in July 2004

The following technical-level meetings would be held earlier:

• Meeting between director-general Pakistan Rangers and inspector-general Border Security Force (of India) in March/April 2004

• Expert-level talks on nuclear confidence-building measures in the latter half of May 2004

• Committee on drug trafficking and smuggling in June 2004

They reviewed the existing links between the director-generals of military operations of Pakistan and India and agreed to consider further strengthening these contacts.

The foreign minister of Pakistan and the external affairs minister of India would meet in August 2004 to review overall progress.

This would be preceded by a one-day meeting of the foreign secretaries."