Pakistani, Indian PMs Agree To Reduce Kashmir Violence

September 29, 2013

The prime ministers of India and Pakistan have agreed to reduce violence along the Line of Control that divides the disputed region of Kashmir.

Indian officials say Pakistan's Nawaz Sharif and India's Manmohan Singh made the pledge to each other September 29 in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly meeting.

India's national security adviser, Shivshankar Menon, said Sharif also promised 'there would be action' on punishing extremists linked to the 2008 terrorist attack in Mumbai which killed 164 people.

At a briefing after the talks, Menon told reporters that both leaders agreed 'the preconditions for forward movement in the relations which they both desire is an improvement of the situation on the Line of Control where there have been repeated cease-fire violations.'

Menon said the meeting was 'useful because it provided an opportunity for high-level contact on issues that are troubling the relationship.'

He said what matters now is 'how both sides take it forward in the next few months.'

Rare Meeting

Pakistani officials were expected to brief reporters on the talks later on September 29.

The summit was the first face-to-face meeting between the two leaders since Sharif's election victory in Pakistan in May.

Singh, who is due to step down from power next year, had dampened expectations before the talks, saying after meeting President Barack Obama in Washington on September 28 that 'the epicenter of terror still remains focused in Pakistan.'

On September 29, Singh told UN delegates that India is eager to resolve all issues with Pakistan. But he also repeated his concerns about terrorist attacks. He also said New Delhi views Kashmir as 'an integral part of India.'

Sharif said his meeting with Singh -- which took place amid an upsurge in militant attacks in Kashmir -- was a chance for a 'new beginning.'

Tensions between India and Pakistan date back to the formation of Pakistan in 1947 when Britain granted independence to and carved up the subcontinent.

India and Pakistan have fought three wars since then, including two over Kashmir.

Relations also have been strained since the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks in India's commercial hub.

India has blamed that attack on Pakistan, saying the militants came from Pakistan and their controllers were in Pakistan.

Analysts say the scheduled withdrawal of international forces from Afghanistan by the end of 2014 could lead to more trouble between India and Pakistan because each country is pursuing competing interests there.

Based on reporting by Reuters, AP, AFP

Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/pakistan-india- prime-ministers-meet/25121503.html

Copyright (c) 2013. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.