Indo-Pak Peace Process Chronology of Events 2004-05
IPCS Special Report 06, January 2006
INDO-PAK PEACE PROCESS CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS 2004-05
Manjunath KS Research Officer Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies
DECEMBER 2005 about the controversial 4,50 MW 30 December 2005 Baglihar hydropower project to World Pakistan Minister for Petroleum and Bank by December 31 following a delay Natural Resources, Amanullah Khan in the provision of certain data about the Jadoon told that the work on Pak-Iran- project by India. India gas pipeline (IPI) project is likely to commence during 2007. President 27 December 2005 Pervez Musharraf claims that India and Pakistan announced that the third Pakistan were currently discussing round of the composite dialogue with through back channel diplomacy "ideas" India at the Foreign Secretary-level like self-governance and would be held in New Delhi on January demilitarisation to resolve the Kashmir 17 and 18. The Foreign Secretaries issue and they would be brought to the would discuss the Kashmir issue and front channel if concrete progress was security-related confidence-building made. measures (CBMs). Pakistan and India are discussing a proposal to demilitarise 29 December 2005 Kashmir and introduce self-governance Pakistan said that the observations by in the region whose ownership is the Indian External Affairs Ministry disputed by the two countries. spokesman on the law and order situation in Balochistan are 26 December 2005 "unwarranted and baseless." Pakistan Pakistan has sought the support of the has once again linked the extension of UN nuclear watchdog IAEA in its quest MFN status to India with the progress for being treated at par with India by on political issues, particularly Kashmir. the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), which controls developing countries' 28 December 2005 access to nuclear technology. Indian and India voiced concern at spiralling Pakistani diplomats are discussing the violence in Pakistan's Balochistan idea of self-governance for divided province and advised Islamabad to Kashmir as proposed by President Gen ''exercise restraint''. It underlined the Pervez Musharraf, a top Indian official need for the Pakistan government to disclosed on Saturday. Indian National concentrate on addressing the Security Advisor M.K. Narayanan told a grievances of the people in the region private TV channel that the discussions through peaceful discussions. were being held in the back channels by Meanwhile, Pakistan will not be able to senior Indian diplomats and their submit answers to technical questions Pakistani counterparts. INDO-PAK PEACE PROCESS CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS 2004-05
25 December 2005 Representatives of NGOs, journalists, 21 December 2005 doctors, advocates, retired judges and The Pak-India Technical Experts notables, from different parts of the meeting for the joint survey of the Sir country took a peace caravan to the Creek - one of the eight areas covered by Pakistan-India Khokhrapar-Monabao Composite Dialogue Process - began on border on 23 December. The caravan 20 December. Surveyor-General of was organized under banner of the Pakistan Maj-Gen Jamilur Rahman Pakistan-India Peoples' Forum for Peace Afridi heads the 12-member team and Democracy (PIPFPD). representing Islamabad while Brig Girish Kumar, Deputy Surveyor- 24 December 2005 General of India, leads the New Delhi Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmud side. Kasuri on Thursday expressed the hope that the third round of Pakistan-India 19 December 2005 dialogue, to be held in New Delhi in In an unusual development in the January 2006, would take the process of Volcker report where at least the former normalisation forward and bring about Indian external minister Natwar Singh a breakthrough on the core issue of has been compelled to say goodbye to Kashmir. politics, a story published by Jang on January 24, 2004 has shaken the Indian 23 December 2005 bureaucracy. The Indian media has gone Islamabad has offered two formulae to to town about the contents of the Jang New Delhi for determining the annual story, which was quoted in a letter the transit fee to be collected by Pakistan then Indian ambassador in Baghdad from India for gas pipeline that would wrote in January 2004 just two months pass through its territory under the before the general elections and over a proposed $7.2 billion Iran-India - year before the Volcker report rocked Pakistan (IPI) gas pipeline. the country.
22 December 2005 18 December 2005 The foreign secretaries of Pakistan and India and Pakistan agreed on 17 India will meet in New Delhi on January December to give a final shape to the 17-18 to initiate the third round of the project structure and framework of the composite dialogue between the two Iran-Pakistan-India (IPI) gas pipeline by countries. Foreign Secretary Riaz April 2006, a joint statement issued after Muhammad Khan will head Pakistan's two days of talks said. A tripartite delegation and hold two-day talks with meeting of three Joint (IPI) Working Indian Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran. Groups "may be held" early next year in Taking yet another step to enhance Teheran to discuss issues such as an people-to-people contact, India and integrated feasibility study, project Pakistan today decided to launch the structure and a tripartite framework long-awaited Amritsar-Lahore bus agreement. service from January 20 and Amritsar- Nankana Sahib bus link by 27 February. 17 December 2005 The Indian Union Cabinet has cleared the way for an agreement with Pakistan
2 IPCS Special Report 06 January 2006 for starting a bus service between joint check post. Pakistan and India Amritsar and Nankana Sahib and a trial hope to start third round of the run for the Amritsar-Lahore bus composite dialogue at the foreign sometime this month. India and secretary level in the third week of next Pakistan began discussing brass tacks of month in New Delhi. At a time when the 7 billion dollar Iran-Pakistan-India the Congress government has still not gas pipeline in order to evolve a project nominated a new minister for external structure for its implementation and affairs, Pakistan hopes that a moderate operation. Pakistan is expected to give new face will emerge so that "the year its views on the project structure 2006 could be one of great promises suggested by India, at the third meeting between the two countries." of the Indo-Pak Joint Working Group. After a lull of months Pakistan's 13 December 2005 economic managers have restarted The UN Secretary General has discussion on the most favoured nation appointed Maj Gen Dragutin Repinc of (MFN) status for India with officials Croatia as the head of the UN Military here saying New Delhi is most likely to Observer Group in India and Pakistan get this status in near future. (UNMOGIP). Gen Repinc, 46, will replace Maj Gen Guido Dante Palmieri 16 December 2005 of Italy who left the mission in India and Pakistan opened five crossing September. points along the Line of Control following the 8 October temblor to 12 December 2005 facilitate movement of relief material History was made along the Radcliffe and people on either side, the Indian line, when the much-awaited trial run of Parliament was told on Thursday. the first Amritsar-Lahore bus service Pakistan and India will formally sign an began on 11 December. The bus agreement to effect restoration of the carrying nine passengers crossed over to Khokhrapar-Munabao train link during Pakistan through the Wagah route. a ministerial level meeting in New Delhi Pakistan and India have finalised a draft on 22 December. agreement which will pave the way to restart a ferry service between Karachi 15 December 2005 and Mumbai that was broken off 30 The third meeting of the India-Pakistan years ago. joint working group on the Iran- Pakistan-India gas pipeline project is 11 December 2005 starting on 16 December. Pakistan and The First Amritsar-Lahore bus, on a trial Iran favour early implementation of the run, crossed over to Pakistan through proposed multi-billion gas pipeline, to the land route at the Indo-Pak Wagah carry gas from Iran to Pakistan and border. Pakistan and India have agreed India. to allow each others' ships to carry third country cargo from ports in the two 14 December 2005 countries. The two sides agreed to a A dry run from Lahore to Amritsar was revised Protocol on Shipping after three conducted by Pakistan on Tuesday with days of technical talks in Karachi that a bus carrying eight officials crossing ended on 10 December. into India through the Atari-Wagah
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economic and commercial cooperation, 10 December 2005 of the two countries at its meeting in Toeing Pakistan's line, the 57-member New Delhi in the second week of Organisation of Islamic Countries has August. "extended" its support to the "inalienable right" of people of Jammu 6 December 2005 and Kashmir for "self-determination" in The much awaited Amritsar-Lahore bus accordance with the UN resolutions. service is finally scheduled to start from December 23 with the first bus coming 9 December 2005 in from Lahore on that day while the Asserting that the October earthquake first bus from Amritsar will depart on 27 in the Kashmir province on both sides of December. the LoC did help create opportunities to resolve Kashmir issue, Pakistan 5 December 2005 President Pervez Musharraf said that Pakistan has proposed technical-level India's response to Pakistani proposal talks on the Khokrapar-Munnabao rail for self-governance in Jammu and route, linking Sindh with Rajasthan, Kashmir was not positive so far. from 1—15 December. The talks are scheduled to be held in New Delhi. Both 8 December 2005 sides have agreed, in principle, to begin The Muttahida Qaumi Movement on the rail link by 1 January. Wednesday discussed Pakistan-India relations and other issues with the 4 December 2005 Indian High Commissioner here on Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf Wednesday. According to a party press has urged the United States to lend its release, the MQM coordination support to efforts aimed at resolving the committee hosted a luncheon meeting Jammu and Kashmir dispute, "which is with Indian High Commissioner Shiv at the root of tension in South Asia." Shankar Mennon at a local hotel. Mr Mennon attended the luncheon with his 3 December 2005 wife and discussed matters of mutual Pakistan and India agreed to sign a interest and bilateral relations. India has memorandum of understanding (MoU) requested Pakistan to exclude 271 on cooperation between their counter- tradable items from its negative list and narcotics agencies in fighting drug allow tariff concession on such items trafficking in the region. The agreement under the SAFTA agreement to be came after a two-day meeting between effective from 1 January. anti-narcotics officials of the two countries in Rawalpindi on 2 December. 7 December 2005 Major General Syed Khalid Amir Officials of India and Pakistan will hold Jaffery, the Anti Narcotics Force director technical talks in the port city of Karachi general, headed the Pakistani delegation from 8 December to review the India - while the Indian side was led by Pakistan Shipping protocol of 1975 to Narcotics Control Bureau Director enable ships of both countries to pick up General KC Verma. cargo for a third country party. The two- day talks are a follow up to the decision by the Joint Study Group, to enhance
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2 December 2005 Railway delegation will leave on Indian authorities declined to accept the December 3 for India to sign an lists of intending travellers from Azad agreement with the Indian Railway Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday as 25 authorities for restoration of train Kashmiris from both sides crossed the service between Pakistan and India via Line of Control (LoC) on foot from the Khokhrapar. Chakothi-Uri crossing point. 27 November 2005 1 December 2005 The Indian Councillor for Political Pakistan on Wednesday decided to seek Affairs Gataish Sharma has said that setting up of a Court of Arbitration or Indian Consulate would start appointment of a neutral expert to stop functioning from next year in Karachi India from diverting Neelum waters in while Pak-India talks to start Karachi- violation of the 1960 Indus Waters Mumbai ferry service would begin in Treaty. Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz December. presided over a meeting of all stakeholders here on Tuesday and 26 November 2005 directed to examine the dispute from all Senior IFS officer Navdeep Suri will be legal and technical aspects whether India's consul-general in Karachi where Pakistan should seek appointment of a the Indian Consulate is likely to be neutral expert or setting up of a court of reopened from January next year. The arbitration under the aegis of the World name of Suri, a Joint Secretary (Africa) Bank. in the External Affairs Ministry, has been cleared by the government. NOVEMBER 2005 30 November 2005 25 November 2005 Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz When the devastating earthquake set off on reiterated that his country favoured a fresh wave of peace and cooperation demilitarisation and self governance on along the Line of Control, the J-K Police both sides of Kashmir. says, foreign militants infiltrated into the Valley in large numbers. Around 29 November 2005 125 of them are suspected to have Pakistan named senior diplomat Jauhar entered Srinagar city, which has Saleem as consul-general of its Mumbai witnessed a sudden spurt of fidayeen consulate, paving the way for the re- and car bomb attacks. opening of the consulates in Karachi and Mumbai in January, 2006. 24 November 2005 Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan 28 November 2005 Singh has sought durable and verifiable India's national security advisor accused checks on human rights abuse in held Pakistan on Sunday of conspiring with Kashmir ahead of a visit to New Delhi the Taliban to abduct and kill a Border by US Congressmen who have been Road Organisation (BRO) driver in critical of violence against civilians Afghanistan. MK Narayanan said that there, according to informed sources. Pakistan's aim was to create a rift in the Serious work is continuing within cordial relations between India and different centres of the government to Afghanistan. A three-member Pakistan fine-tune President Pervez Musharraf's
5 INDO-PAK PEACE PROCESS CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS 2004-05 proposal of "self-governance" in explore ideas such as self-governance Kashmir. "It is not only within the and demilitarisation. circles responsible for Kashmir that are working on the issue of self-governance 21 November 2005 but also the back-channel diplomacy India and Pakistan will sort out issues meetings are discussing it so as to pertaining to the Amritsar-Nankana proceed with and come closer to the Sahib bus service at the technical level ultimate goal of giving the people of meeting scheduled in the second week Kashmir their right to self- of December. The Pakistan leadership determination," an official said. gave this assurance to Minister of State for External Affairs E. Ahamed, who is 23 November 2005 here for the donors' conference Pakistan 'regretted' the 'evasive convened by Islamabad to raise money response' of India to the ideas of for the victims of the October 8 `demilitarisation and self-governance' earthquake. India offered to undertake on both sides of Kashmir. "It would be specific projects in education and health regrettable if the Indian side chooses to sectors in quake-hit areas of Pakistan be evasive in responding to these ideas even as it expressed concern over which must be considered with an open incidents of cross border terrorism in mind in the interest of finding a solution the aftermath of the recent serial blasts of the Kashmir dispute and durable in New Delhi. peace in the region," the Pakistan Foreign Office said in a statement. An 20 November 2005 official spokesman said in response to Suggesting that a resolution of the question on Pakistan Foreign Ministry Kashmir issue could once and for all be spokesman's remarks about self New Delhi's "donation to Kashmir," governance on both sides of the LOC Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf that Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat maintained that the October 8 Aziz had conveyed to Prime Minister earthquake presented a ‘lifetime Manmohan Singh during the recent opportunity' for India and Pakistan to SAARC Summit in Dhaka that the two improve relations. Hours after Pakistan countries could explore ideas like self President Pervez Musharraf said that a governance and demilitarisation. resolution of the Kashmir issue could be India's `donation to Kashmir' in the 22 November 2005 context of the earthquake, Minister of India said that it had received no State for External Affairs E. Ahamed proposal regarding so-called "self- said here on Saturday that India was governance" in Jammu and Kashmir ready to resolve all issues including during the 12 November Dhaka meeting Kashmir through dialogue "in an between Prime Minister Manmohan atmosphere free of terrorism and Singh and his Pakistani counterpart violence." Shaukat Aziz. During the meeting between the two leaders, Mr. Aziz said 19 November 2005 that in seeking a resolution of the Twenty-five Pakistanis who had Jammu and Kashmir issue the two completed jail terms in India for countries could, among other things, offences including illegal entry and drug trafficking were repatriated as a
6 IPCS Special Report 06 January 2006 goodwill gesture between the two Pakistan shook hands and greeted each countries, a Pakistani official said. other. Pakistan is likely to move the court of arbitration after the latest round 18 November 2005 of talks with India over the The ministry of industries and Kishanganga dam project ended in production has strongly advocated failure, said Syed Jamaat Ali Shah, trade liberalization with India either Pakistan's Commissioner on the Indus based on granting Most Favoured Basin Treaty. Nation (MFN) status to India or trade under the South Asian Free Trade 14 November 2005 Agreement (SAFTA). After the opening of Kaman Post, the Army is now gearing up to open the 17 November 2005 Silikot point in the Uri sector. India and India will send by rail another 600 Pakistan fought a hard battle here in tonnes of relief material, comprising 1971 and shelling and bombing were snow tents, snow sleeping bags, routine before the November 2003 blankets, essential medicines and ceasefire. While the roads are being medical equipment, to the quake- widened and bridges reconstructed, the affected in Pakistan. biggest challenge is to make it mine- free, which the Army says has been 16 November 2005 done. The process of confidence The US has lauded as "wonderful" building between Pakistan and India India's response to send relief to victims began last year and they were now in Pakistan after the devastating exploring ways for "conflict resolution" earthquake and said both New Delhi instead of "conflict management," and Islamabad showed "great Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz statesmanship" in furthering the peace said. Despite Afghanistan's entry into process. Signalling that all is not well on SAARC, Pakistan will continue with its the Pakistan-India front, Foreign policy of denying India overland access Minister Khurshid Kasuri made it clear to Afghanistan because that policy is to the visiting US Assistant Secretary of linked to the broad matrix of India- State Christina Rocca that durable peace Pakistan relations, Prime Minister could not be achieved in the region Shaukat Aziz told the media on his without the settlement of all return flight from Dhaka. outstanding disputes, including Jammu and Kashmir. 13 November 2005 Indian and Pakistani Army officials 15 November 2005 opened the third border meeting point India and Pakistan opened the fourth along the Line of Control (LoC) to ferry point on the Line of Control (LoC) for relief material across till "all the quake- exchanging quake relief material in hit are rehabilitated." Pakistani Prime Mendhar sector in Poonch district. This Minister Shaukat Aziz said that peace is the second point in the Poonch district talks with India were making progress, which was opened today. Before but core issues such as Kashmir still exchanging the relief material at the remain. The World Bank-appointed Roshi-Kanna posts, 7 km from Mendhar, neutral expert Prof Raymond Lafitte has authorities representing both India and given technical questionnaires to
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Pakistan and India with regard to the efforts by the two countries to speed up structure and design of the controversial the repatriation of people languishing in 450 MW Baglihar Hydropower Project, a jails on both sides. Indian medicines senior government official told The have so far not made it to Pakistani News. markets though the government has allowed the import of medicines from 12 November 2005 India. The import of Indian drugs was The issue of cross-border terrorism and notified on 23 June 2005 to provide relief Kashmir are expected to figure in talks to the common people. The importers of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will pharmaceutical products have urged the have with his Pakistani counterpart government to allow duty-free import Shaukat Aziz when the two leaders will of pharmacy products from India review the progress in Composite immediately to provide relief to the Dialogue Process on the sidelines of the people. SAARC summit. Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has said that in 9 November 2005 his bilateral meetings with leaders on Pakistan named the designated the sidelines of the South Asian authorities from whom application Association for Regional Cooperation forms could be obtained by people (SAARC) summit, he would highlight intending to cross the five points along the "concerns and challenges" being the Line of Control (LoC). On 29 faced by Kashmiris. October, Pakistan and India agreed on the opening of five posts across the LoC 11 November 2005 to enable people participate in At a meeting between Pakistan's earthquake relief and reconstruction Foreign Secretary Riaz Mohammad efforts. Khan and his Indian counterpart Shyam Saran in Dhaka, Khan conveyed 8 November 2005 Pakistan's appreciation for the relief The Line of Control was opened as assistance provided by the government Indian relief material made its way to and the people of India after the quake-devastated Pakistan-occupied devastating earthquake. Kashmir. This is the first time in the Notwithstanding the ongoing Indo-Pak history of the sub-continent that the LoC talks to resolve all outstanding issues, has been opened for the movement of including Kashmir, Pakistan has once goods as per the recent agreement again spoken about the right of self- signed between India and Pakistan. determination for the people of Jammu and Kashmir under UN supervision. 7 November 2005 The much-awaited opening of the Line 10 November 2005 of Control at five designated points to Opening of the third crossing point on enable people to cross the Kashmir the Line of Control (LoC) for quake frontier between India and Pakistan is relief work has been delayed by two expected to be delayed for at least a days because of incomplete week. Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz will infrastructural work. India will release meet his Indian counterpart Dr. 26 Pakistani prisoners on November 18 Manmohan Singh on the sidelines of the at the Wagah border post as part of 13th Saarc Summit in Bangladesh's
8 IPCS Special Report 06 January 2006 capital Dhaka, it is learnt. According to 3 November 2005 diplomatic sources, the meeting Pakistan is optimistic that India is between the two prime ministers is willing to consider Islamabad's proposal likely to take place on November 12. for the demilitarisation of Kashmir, the They said the two sides were currently Foreign Office said. Pakistan maintained in the process of finalising the time and that the claim made by India about the date of the meeting. possibility of involvement of Pakistan- based groups in the serial blasts of New 6 November 2005 Delhi did not amount to evidence. The five points across the Line of Control (LoC) from the Pakistan side to 2 November 2005 enable people travel on foot to the India reacted cautiously to Pakistan Indian side would be operational from 7 President Pervez Musharraf's November. Pakistan Foreign Office suggestion of demilitarising both sides spokesperson Tasneem Aslam said of Kashmir, asserting that it can't be arrangements to open the points to done "unilaterally". "It can't be done people wishing to cross over have been unilaterally," External Affairs Minister K completed. Natwar Singh told reporters at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Only Kashmiris 5 November 2005 who are members of families divided by The opening of relief camps along the the Line of Control will be allowed to Line of Control for earthquake victims cross the de-facto border when five of Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan- crossing points are opened on 7 occupied-Kashmir have hit a roadblock November. Two banned Pakistani as the armies on either side are unable militant groups on denied involvement to evolve a mechanism for transporting in last week's deadly bombings in the the aid packages. The two armies have Indian capital. India has not placed also had a communication breakdown blame for the bombings in New Delhi of sorts with the gushing river that killed 59 people, but suspicion has Kishanganga drowning all efforts. fallen on Pakistan-based militants fighting the Indian rule in the divided 4 November 2005 Kashmir region. Ahead of the opening of quake relief centres along the Line of Control (LoC), 1 November 2005 the Army reopened the road connecting Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Srinagar with Muzaffarabad. However, minced no words when Pakistan work is yet to be completed on the other President Pervez Musharraf called him side. Braving rough terrain and to express his condolences over the landslips, Army and Border Roads deaths in the Delhi blasts. Short of Organisation (BRO) workers finished directly accusing Pakistan, Singh said he the work in record time Troop positions was "disturbed" at indications of on the Siachen Glacier must be "external linkages" of terrorist groups demarcated before demilitarising the with the blasts. world's highest battlefield to avoid a repeat of the 1999 Kargil border conflict with Pakistan, said Indian Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee.
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OCTOBER 2005 conference organised by the United 31 October 2005 Nations Office of the Coordinator for Although the festival-eve terror came Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in close to breaching India's threshold of Geneva. tolerance to terrorism, the Government consciously chose last night not to let 27 October 2005 the Delhi bombings come in the way of Reacting strongly to New Delhi's call to the quake diplomacy with Pakistan. the International Atomic Energy Agency Hours before India and Pakistan signed (IAEA) to further investigate Dr Abdul the agreement on opening points along Qadeer Khan's nuclear network, the Line of Control (LoC) for earthquake Pakistan has held India responsible for relief and reconstruction operations, promoting nuclear proliferation and Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf arms race in the region. Prime Minister said that with the decision he was Manmohan Singh said India was not to making the LoC "irrelevant." blame for the delay in affording relief to Pakistani earthquake victims from 30 October 2005 across the ceasefire line in earthquake- Three weeks after a devastating devastated Kashmir. His comments earthquake killed more than 56,000 came hours after Pakistani soldiers people in Pakistan and India, officials objected to the construction of a from the two countries met on Saturday footbridge by Indian troops across the to discuss opening their Kashmir border Line of Control (LoC) to allow Pakistani to survivors. Pakistan and India have quake victims to cross into Indian- agreed to open foot crossings at five administered Kashmir. points across the Line of Control that divides Kashmir from 7 November. The 26 October 2005 agreement was reached between the India offered material to help Pakistan two sides after intense negotiations at rebuild its earthquake-affected areas but the senior officials' meeting held at the dismissed the probability of its Foreign Ministry in Islamabad. engineers going over to the other side as "romanticism''. India on Tuesday 29 October 2005 expressed concern over the situation in A six-member Indian delegation is in Gilgit (on the Pakistani side of the Line Pakistan to finalize modalities on of Control), where a curfew was in force opening some points and relief camps after "clashes" between Pakistani along the LoC to help the quake affected paramilitary forces and Shia students. Kashmiri people and permit them to meet their relatives on the other side. 25 October 2005 Accepting Islamabad's 22 October 28 October 2005 proposal, India announced that a India has offered Rs. 112.45 crores in delegation of senior officials would visit assistance to Pakistan for relief and Pakistan before the end of the month for rehabilitation of the October 8 talks on facilitating cooperation between earthquake victims. The External Affairs the two countries in providing relief to Ministry spokesman announced that the victims of the earthquake. Minister of State for Statistics Oscar Fernandes made the offer at a
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24 October 2005 Kashmiri people on both sides of the The Indian Army will use mules and divide in the aftermath of the helicopters to ensure planned relief earthquake. With Islamabad expected to camps for earthquake survivors from move a formal proposal soon on Azad Kashmir are operational. Despite allowing Kashmiris to cross the Line of damaged roads and bridges, the camps Control to meet relatives or help in relief at three points along the Line of Control work, New Delhi has done some (LoC) in Kashmir will be ready in time groundwork and is now looking to take should the Pakistani government give forward its own proposal of five the go-ahead for the plan. meeting points for divided families along the LoC. The five points-Poonch, 23 October 2005 Rajouri, Suchetgarh, Uri and Tangdhar- Pakistan announced that it has handed were suggested by India but are yet to over a formal proposal to India for take off. allowing Kashmiris living on both sides of the Line of Control (LoC) to help each 19 October 2005 other in relief and reconstruction efforts. India welcomed in principle the offer India said Pakistan's proposal to open made by Pakistan President Pervez five crossing points on the Line of Musharraf that people could be allowed Control for speedy delivery of aid to to cross the Line of Control (LoC) to earthquake victims could be reconciled meet their relatives and assist with with New Delhi's suggestion to set up reconstruction in the quake-hit areas. three relief centres near the LoC. An eight-member Pakistani delegation left for Geneva for talks on the disputed 22 October 2005 Baglihar dam, which India is India has received through the constructing in its Jammu and Kashmir backchannel diplomacy involving Tariq state. The two-day talks will be attended Aziz and S K Lambah a rough draft of by Raymond Lafitte, the World Bank- Pakistan's proposal to allow any appointed neutral expert on the issue. number of people coming across the Line of Control to meet their relatives 18 October 2005 and assist in reconstruction. India conveyed its inability to Pakistan to provide its armed forces' helicopters 21 October 2005 for relief operations in Azad Kashmir India said that it was still waiting for without Indian pilots. An Indian foreign Pakistani proposals on how to allow ministry spokesman said Pakistan Kashmiris to cross the Line of Control Foreign Secretary Riaz Mohammed (LoC) in the aftermath of the Khan called his Indian counterpart devastating earthquake. Pakistan has Shyam Saran conveying Islamabad's ruled out a joint relief operation with willingness to have Indian helicopters India in Kashmir as proposed by Indian but without Indian pilots and crews. Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh. 17 October 2005 20 October 2005 Indian troops are on heightened alert to Pakistan will shortly make a formal prevent militants from taking advantage proposal to India on opening the Line of of the chaos in quake-shattered held Control (LoC) to facilitate movement of Kashmir and crossing the border, the
11 INDO-PAK PEACE PROCESS CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS 2004-05 military said. India will send its third service, scheduled to start from 9 consignment of relief material for November, stands postponed, sources earthquake victims in Pakistan by train. in the Punjab Government said. 170 tonnes of relief materials will be sent, including 100 tonnes of fortified 11 October 2005 biscuits. Pakistan's High Commissioner to New Delhi Aziz Ahmed Khan met Indian 16 October 2005 Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh India granted permission to Pakistan to and indicated that Pakistan would fly its helicopters inside one kilometre of welcome relief goods to help survivors the airspace above the LoC to access in different parts of the country that remote areas affected by the earthquake have been affected by one of the worst in Kashmir. disasters in its history.
15 October 2005 10 October 2005 India and Pakistan are playing politics The shared tragedy confronting India with earthquake relief and have missed and Pakistan in disputed Kashmir could a great opportunity to build closer ties pay dividends for the fragile peace in a time of tragedy, said Mirwaiz Umar process, experts said after a massive Farooq. earthquake left thousands dead there. "It will certainly help in furthering the 14 October 2005 peace process," former Indian foreign An Indian relief train was due to cross secretary and ambassador to the Wagah-Attari border with a Washington Lalit Mansingh said. consignment of blankets, medicines and tents for the Azad Kashmir earthquake 9 October 2005 victims, official sources said. A major earthquake shook cities and villages across the South Asian 13 October 2005 subcontinent, wiping out several Officials have advised the government villages in Pakistan and leading to fears that the composite dialogue process that the death toll could run into with India should retain its primacy, thousands. About 400 Pakistani school and the revival of joint commission children were killed in northwestern should not dilute its importance. Pakistan when two schools collapsed, the police said. Officials said over 1000 12 October 2005 people were killed in the worst-hit India was ready to rush potentially life- Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, while 700 saving aid to the devastated parts of lost their lives in Islamabad and North Azad Kashmir since these were more western Frontier Province. readily accessible from the Line of Control, but New Delhi was equally 8 October 2005 alive to Pakistan's sensitivities in not India has said that there can be no signalling its acceptance, Indian Prime pullout of troops from Jammu and Minister Dr Manmohan Singh said. Kashmir unless violence ends there and Following the massive destruction a similar disengagement in Siachen caused by the earthquake in Pakistan on Glacier can be undertaken only when Saturday, the Amritsar-Lahore bus
12 IPCS Special Report 06 January 2006 delineation on the troop positions is would come after the visiting External carried out. Affairs Minister, Mr K Natwar Singh, calls on Pakistan President Pervez 7 October 2005 Musharraf. Pakistan and India are holding crucial meeting on Baglihar dam in New Delhi 5 October 2005 amid persisting serious differences India and Pakistan held a meeting of the between the two countries on the design Joint Economic Commission for years, of the dam and no agreement seems to marking a further thaw between the be in sight about the contentious project. South Asian countries. Indian External The World Bank (WB) neutral expert Dr Affairs Minister Natwar Singh is leading Raymond Laffitte will chair the meeting the Indian side at the talks with his that is taking place after the inspection Pakistani counterpart Khurshid Kasuri, of the dam site and original model of Foreign Office officials said. India and the dam laying in Roorki near Jammu Pakistan failed to achieve a thaw on by the experts of the two countries and Siachen issue despite hectic back-room the WB neutral expert. diplomatic efforts that continued well past midnight last night, though the two 6 October 2005 nuclear neighbours did take a step External Affairs Minister K. Natwar forward in resolving the Sir Creek Singh said that he hoped the India - maritime boundary dispute. Pakistan talks on the Siachen issue would move forward. Talking to 3 October 2005 reporters before leaving for New Delhi On the eve of one of the most crucial at the end of a four-day visit to the talks between India and Pakistan country, he said that "there is no starting at the Foreign Office between deadline for Siachen, but we hope the Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri and talks will move forward." his Indian counterpart. Pakistan and India opened talks a day after Indian 4 October 2005 External Affairs Minister K. Natwar Pakistan and India signed an agreement Singh arrived, saying that the people on pre-notification of flight-testing of and governments of both countries were ballistic missiles and a memorandum of determined to end decades of hostility. understanding for the establishment of a Endeavouring to adjudicate the riparian communication link between the dispute between India and Pakistan, Pakistan Maritime Security Agency and World Bank appointed Swiss neutral the Indian Coast Guards. The accord expert Raymond Lafitte today began and memorandum were signed after the inspecting the dam design and 90-minute delegation-level talks "peripheral setup" of the 450-mw between Foreign Minister Khurshid Baglihar hydel project in Doda district Kasuri and his Indian counterpart of Jammu and Kashmir. Natwar Singh at the Foreign Office. Back-channel diplomacy was in full 2 October 2005 swing as India and Pakistan appeared to In trying to take the peace process be converging towards having a forma l forward after the slight chill in New agreement on resolving the Siachen York, External Affairs Minister K dispute. The final word, however, Natwar Singh is bringing with him a
13 INDO-PAK PEACE PROCESS CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS 2004-05 proposal to revamp the rigid 20-year old India had reached an agreement on visa protocol and remove restrictions withdrawing troops from Siachen, said peculiar to the two countries. In efforts that he wasn't sure if the Indian minister to iron out differences between India was referring to the agreement between and Pakistan on the Indus river waters the two countries in 1989 which could issue, a 13-member team led by World not be signed at that time. Defence Bank neutral expert, Raymond Lafitte Minister Pranab Mukherjee has said arrived in Jammu for a 3-day inspection India and Pakistan have agreed to tour of Baglihar at Patnitop. withdraw troops from their present position in Siachen glacier but the 1 October 2005 modalities have to be worked out. India and Pakistan met to agree details of new bus services between border 29 September 2005 cities and discuss an increase in flights Terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir made as a part of a peace process, officials in history in reverse when Mohammad both countries said. Pakistan and India Ayub, a senior commander of the will ink three treaties next week here in Pakistan-backed Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, the presence of their foreign ministers. crossed the Line of Control (LoC) and One of the treaties will provide pre- laid down arms before the Indian Army. notification of test-flight of missiles, India and Pakistan agreed to start a bus officials said. The Cabinet Committee on service in October linking two cities on Security (CCS) met under the either side of their only border crossing chairmanship of Prime Minister as part of an ongoing peace process. Manmohan Singh today, two days ahead of External Affairs Minister K. 28 September 2005 Natwar Singh's bilateral visit to Pakistan The Pakistan Supreme Court upheld the (October 2-5), and set the parameters for death sentence to Sarabjit Singh of Mr Natwar Singh's talks with the Punjab in the fourth case of his alleged Pakistani leadership. The EAM is going role in a series of bomb blasts which to Pakistan armed with a host of occurred in the country in 1990 "at the proposals for improving bilateral behest of RAW". Trying to breathe life relations with Pakistan in such diverse into a joint commission that has not met fields as security, defence, trade and for the last 16 years, India will send commerce, tourism and culture, representatives of six ministries to consular matters, banking, information Islamabad along with External Affairs and broadcasting and Minister K Natwar Singh to ensure that telecommunications. the 4 October meeting is not reduced to a symbolic affair. Apart from the SEPTEMBER 2005 Ministry of External Affairs, five other 30 September 2005 ministries - Home, Telecom, Commerce, Pakistan is engaged in negotiations with Information & Broadcasting and India to reach an early agreement on the Tourism-will send joint secretary level withdrawal of troops from the Siachen officials as part of the External Affairs glacier. In a press statement, Foreign Minister's delegation. Office (FO) spokesman Naeem Khan, in response to the Indian defence minister's statement that Pakistan and
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27 September 2005 without resolution of disputes between The second round of India-Pakistan two neighbours. technical level talks on the Amritsar- Lahore and Amritsar-Nankana Sahib 24 September 2005 bus services will be held today. At the Permanent Indo-Pak peace is possible two-day technical level parleys, the only when the Pakistan military accepts Pakistani side will be led by that India will not secede any part of Mohammad Abbas, additional secretary Jammu and Kashmir, former US envoy to the Ministry of Communication. The to India, Robert Blackwill has said. Indian delegation will be headed by Dilip Sinha, joint secretary to the 23 September 2005 Ministry of External Affairs. Intra-Kashmir 'Heart-to-Heart' talks urged the governments of India and 26 September 2005 Pakistan to consider reducing the level Officials from India and Pakistan would of deployment of military and begin hectic rounds of parleys to discuss paramilitary forces on both sides of a host of issues, including bus services Kashmir. A joint statement, adopted at and aviation agreement between the the conclusion of the two-day Kashmir two countries ahead of the third round conference recommended review of of the Composite Dialogue process detenus cases and declaration of general scheduled in January next year. In a amnesty to prisoners detained in each move to boost bilateral trade between country. India and Pakistan, Indian Merchants Chamber (IMC) and Karachi Chamber 22 September 2005 of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) have Pakistan's Minister for Petroleum and decided to set up a joint trade Natural Resources Amanullah Khan committee soon. The proposed Jadoon will visit India next month to committee will have an equal number of finalise issues relating to the Iran- representatives from both chambers, Pakistan-India gas pipeline. "The IMC president Rajesh Kapadia, who minister is likely to visit New Delhi on recently led a 24-member delegation to October 2-3 but the dates may be Pakistan, told reporters. changed," an official from the ministry of petroleum and natural resources said. 25 September 2005 Pakistan and India will seek A delegation of Indian aviation officials independent third party global will arrive in Pakistan this week for "certification" of the Iranian talks on increasing civilian passenger hydrocarbon reserve allocated for the flights between the two countries, the South Asian gas pipeline. Defence Ministry said. Officials of the Pakistan Rangers and Indian Border 21 September 2005 Security Force discussed the day-to-day The All-Parties Hurriyat Conference border security matters at a quarterly (APHC) said that contacts between held meeting at Khokhrapar. Humayun Pakistan and Israel would help in Akhtar Khan, commerce minister said finding a solution in Kashmir. "Pak- Pakistan would not extend Most Israel links will not harm the Kashmir Favoured Nation (MFN) status to India cause, but they will help to settle the festering issue," APHC chairman
15 INDO-PAK PEACE PROCESS CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS 2004-05
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said while Pakistani leader "delivered" on his addressing a press conference in New promise to control terror flow into York. Jammu and Kashmir then it would be possible to inject a "movement forward" 20 September 2005 in the relationship between India and Pakistan Foreign Office spokesman Pakistan. A day before Hurriyat Naeem Khan told presspersons here on president Mirwaiz Umer Farooq meets Monday that Pakistan expected the Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf same treatment as India from the West here, India said that an end to cross- in its quest for peaceful use of nuclear border violence would make it easier to technology. The Indian foreign minister improve human rights conditions in will be in Islamabad on 3 October for a Jammu and Kashmir and withdraw three-day visit to review with his troops from the state. Pakistan counterpart the outcome of the second round of their composite 16 September 2005 dialogue, official sources said. India and Pakistan have expressed their commitment "to ensure a peaceful 19 September 2005 settlement of all pending issues Natwar Singh has met his Pakistani including Jammu and Kashmir to the counterpart Khurshid Kasuri in New satisfaction of both sides." The York. According to Indian TV channel, commitment came in a joint statement Mr. Natwar Singh said that the dialogue issued after a four-hour dinner meeting process with Pakistan is on track. The between Prime Minister Manmohan Indian foreign minister will also be Singh and Pakistan President Pervez travelling to Pakistan in the first week of Musharraf here on Wednesday. The two October. leaders also agreed to pursue all possible options for a peaceful 18 September 2005 settlement of the Kashmir dispute "in a In their third interaction in five months, sincere spirit and purposeful manner." Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq met Pakistan President Pervez 15 September 2005 Musharraf here and extended full Manmohan Singh and Pervez support to India-Pakistan dialogue but Musharraf agreed to carry forward the expressed regret over the "slow" pace of peace process and resolve all the peace process. During the meeting outstanding issues, including Jammu with Gen. Musharraf lasting over an and Kashmir through negotiations and hour, the Mirwaiz briefed him on the peaceful means. The two leaders also first-ever talks the Hurriyat leaders had vowed not to allow terrorism to impede with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh the peace process. in New Delhi on 5 September while discussing the ongoing India-Pakistan 14 September 2005 dialogue process. The United States is keenly watching the meeting between Pakistan President 17 September 2005 Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said Manmohan Singh. It wants the two he proposed to remain "engaged" with neighbours to resolve their differences General Pervez Musharraf and if the amicably. Secretary of State
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Condoleezza Rice, who called on Gen. the spirit behind it," Pakistan Foreign Musharraf in New York and conveyed Minister Khurshid M Kasuri said. Washington's views to him. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has made it 8 September 2005 clear to the US that Pakistan still Pakistan should have the same access to controls the flow of terror to India and US civilian nuclear technology that that it must be stopped if there has to be President George W Bush has proposed any meaningful progress in the peace for India, the Pakistani ambassador to process between the two countries. the United States said. Pakistan will on Sep 12 repatriate 371 Indian prisoners 12 September 2005 who have been in jails either for illegally The stage was set for another high in entering the country or accidentally bilateral peace process when India and straying into its waters while fishing. Pakistan exchange nearly 500 civilian prisoners at the Wagah border. 7 September 2005 Pakistani prisoners were brought here With the apparently pre-determined from different Indian jails in the States script playing out last night in Prime to be handed over to Pakistani Minister Manmohan Singh's talks with authorities. India agreed to release 152 the Hurriyat leaders, the prospects for Pakistani prisoners while Pakistan the Indo-Pak summit in New York next agreed to set free 435 jailed Indian week have brightened. For all the prisoners which includes 371 fishermen. praises the Hurriyat leaders sang after Among the 152 Pakistani prisoners, 101 their first-ever meeting with an Indian were fishermen who were caught while Prime Minister, sources suggested last fishing in Indian waters. So far, 96 night's deal on ending all forms of prisoners from Rajasthan, Gujarat and violence in Jammu and Kashmir might various parts of Punjab have reached have been pre-cooked between Delhi Central Jail in Amritsar where they and Islamabad. Petroleum Secretaries of would be spending their last night on India and Pakistan will hold the two- Indian soil before proceeding to Wagah. day talks at Islamabad to discuss modalities of the multi-billion-dollar 10 September 2005 Indo-Iran gas pipeline through this India will release 152 Pakistani civil country. A five-member delegation of prisoners on 12 September at the Wagah Indian gas experts led by Petroleum border. The civilian prisoners are those Secretary SC Tripathy is arriving in who have completed their sentences and Islamabad to attend the second whose travel documents have been Pakistan-India Joint Working Group issued by the Pakistan High (JWG) meeting on September 8 and 9 to Commission. discuss the modalities for the pipeline project. 9 September 2005 Pakistan has welcomed the "spirit" 6 September 2005 behind the first formal talks between Welcoming the first-ever talks between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the Hurriyat leaders and said this is the the moderate Hurriyat faction led by only way the peace process could move Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, Pakistan said it forward. "The most important thing is
17 INDO-PAK PEACE PROCESS CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS 2004-05 would strengthen the peace process briefed him about the outcome of the with India. talks he had with his counterpart.
5 September 2005 1 September 2005 India said it would continue with plans Indian Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran to build a US $7.2 billion gas pipeline arrived in Lahore for a meeting with his from Iran, undaunted by increasing Pakistani counterpart Riaz Mohammad threat of UN sanctions against Tehran. Khan in Islamabad today. The two The International Atomic Energy secretaries will review the progress of Agency (IAEA) said that questions the composite dialogue process. remained about Tehran's atomic Pakistan and India may formalize activities and confirmed Iran had revival of joint commission of the two resumed nuclear fuel work, setting the countries to remove irritants between stage for a possible referral to the UN them, coming in the way of Security Council. normalisation. The composite dialogue will also continue side by side that has 4 September 2005 Kashmir issue on its top. The joint Pakistan, India and Iran are expected to commission will be headed by the sign a pact in December, which will respective foreign ministers and had enable them to go ahead with the three sittings since its inception in 1983. proposed $7.4 billion pipeline project to supply natural gas from Iran to Pakistan AUGUST 2005 and India. "If all goes well, there can be 31 August 2005 a tripartite meeting of the concerned Pakistan and India have agreed to sign ministers to finalize a framework the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT), a agreement by 31 December," Natwar global arrangement for security to Singh was quoted as saying in Tehran. energy-related trade and investments, as observers to ease import of natural gas 3 September 2005 through pipelines from Iran, Qatar or Setting the stage for the meeting Turkmenistan. The federal cabinet, between Prime Minister Manmohan which will meet on Wednesday, is Singh and President Pervez Musharraf expected to approve a plan to make a in New York on 14 September, India request to the Energy Charter and Pakistan announced a slew of Conference to get the 'observer status'. measures to promote people-to-people The treaty was signed in 1994 and came contacts, including starting a truck into force in 1998. Indian Foreign service for trade on the Srinagar- Secretary Shyam Saran will leave for Muzaffarabad route. The two countries Islamabad to join his Pakistani also outlined the roadmap for the third counterpart Riaz Mohamamad Khan in round of the Composite Dialogue the review of the two-round composite process to be launched in January next dialogue process, two weeks ahead of year in New Delhi with a meeting of Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh their Foreign Secretaries. A da y after and President Pervez Musharraf's India and Pakistan announced a slew of meeting in New York. measures to carry forward the peace process, Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran met President Pervez Musharraf and
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30 August 2005 and Pakistan will discuss the prisoners' Prime Minister Manmohan Singh issue during the August 29-30 talks rounded up his first two-day bilateral between the Home Secretaries. "Usually visit to Afghanistan by targeting the the agenda [of the Home Secretary-level common man or the "aam aadmi of talks is terrorism and drug-trafficking Afghanistan, saying that with India's but this time we requested that we help, several welfare initiatives for the would like to discuss the issue of Afghan would be put in place soon. prisoners," Pakistan Home Secretary Indian diplomats will meet Sarabjit Syed Kamal Shah said. Singh, sentenced to death in Pakistan. 27 August 2005 29 August 2005 India claimed that its efforts to help Terrorism and drug trafficking would rebuild Afghanistan were being be the main focus of the Secretary-level hampered by Pakistan, which had talks between India and Pakistan which refused to allow transit facilities to begins here tomorrow in the midst of Indian goods. Foreign Secretary Shyam efforts to release Sarabjit Singh, who is Saran said India was having to make facing death sentence. Pakistan's huge investments to seek alternative Interior Secretary Syed Kamal Shah, routes to Afghanistan and Central Asia who is leading an 11-member delegation through Iran. Pakistan on Friday to the two-day talks with his Indian allowed Indian diplomats to meet a counterpart V.K. Duggal, has said that convicted Indian spy on death row amid he will like to discuss the issue of the heightened moves to save the life of the prisoners languishing in each other's man who, Islamabad says, was behind country. deadly bomb blasts but is called The Home Secretaries of India and innocent by his family. A foreign Pakistan today discussed at length the ministry spokesman said the first-ever Memorandum of government had granted approval to an Understanding (MoU) between them on Indian High Commission request for prevention of drug trafficking, but failed consular access to convict Sarabjit Singh, to reach an agreement on it. now lodged in Lahore's Kot Lakhpat Jail. 28 August 2005 Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on 26 August 2005 Saturday said "appropriate messages" External Affairs Minister K. Natwar had been sent to Pakistan on the issue of Singh discussed the issue of Sarabjit Sarabjit Singh, on death row for his Singh with the Pakistan's High alleged involvement in bomb blasts in Commissioner here Mr Aziz Ahmed Lahore and Multan in 1990. India and Khan. He told him that it was a Pakistan are expected to stick to their humanitarian matter and there was a stated positions and go through the strong public sentiment in India for motions when the two countries' Home sparing the convict's life who was on Secretaries begin their two day talks on death row in a Lahore jail. August 29 on terrorism and drug trafficking under the composite 25 August 2005 dialogue framework. Moving beyond Pakistan informed India that its request terrorism and drug-trafficking, India for consular access to Sarabjit Singh,
19 INDO-PAK PEACE PROCESS CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS 2004-05 sentenced to death for his alleged 22 August 2005 involvement in bomb blasts in this Pakistan has submitted its case on the country, was being examined as senior controversial 450 MW Baglihar Ministers here were locked in a debate hydropower project in Jammu and whether President Pervez Musharraf Kashmir to the neutral expert appointed was authorised to pardon him. by the World Bank. President General The foreign secretaries of Indian and Pervez Musharraf and Indian Prime Pakistan would be on a hotline from Minister Dr Manmohan Singh will September to help avert mutual discuss the whole gamut of bilateral misunderstandings that could otherwise relations in their third meeting in New trigger nuclear tensions between the York in September in a span of 16 two, Indian Minister of State for months since the Indian leader assumed External Affairs Rao Inderjit Singh told the top office. the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. He said an understanding on the proposed 21 August 2005 agreement on a pre-notification of flight Pakistan has formally submitted its case testing of ballistic missiles was reached over the controversial 450MW Baglihar during the third round of India-Pakistan hydropower project with the expert level dialogue on nuclear coordination office of the neutral expert confidence building measures held in in Washington DC three days ago. Delhi earlier this month. 20 August 2005 24 August 2005 India has ordered slashing import duty New Delhi is still to ascertain whether on textile from two neighbours - Sarabjit Singh, sentenced to death in Pakistan and Bangladesh. As many as Pakistan, is an Indian. "Confirmation of 200 tariff lines in textile products will be identity always follows consular access," identified to cut the basic import duty as the External Affairs Ministry spokesman well as ad valorem duty. said when asked whether Mr. Singh was, indeed, an Indian citizen. 19 August 2005 One of the several unilateral decisions 23 August 2005 taken by India for promoting greater The India-Pakistan peace process under people-to-people contacts with Pakistan the Composite Dialogue Framework has failed to evoke the expected gets into top gear after next week's enthusiasm across the border. Or is it Home Secretary level talks on Terrorism because the people on the other side of and Drug Trafficking as Foreign the border are not aware of the facility? Secretary Shyam Saran would travel to This pertains to Foreign Secretary Islamabad on August 31 for the wrap- Shyam Saran's announcement early this up meeting of the second round of talks. year that India would grant visa on Top Pakistani and Indian diplomats will arrival at the Wagah border to Pakistani meet in Islamabad on Sept 1 to review citizens above 65 years and children how the two countries have progressed under 12 years of age. This facility is the on their peace process in one year before first of its kind that New Delhi has with a planned bilateral summit at the United any country. Nations.
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18 August 2005 kept along the 742 km stretch of fencing Peace can only be achieved through to foil such attempts. strength and therefore we need to maintain a credible defence, Prime 13 August 2005 Minister Shaukat Aziz said at a meeting Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) with Air Chief Marshal Kaleem Saadat chief Maj Gen Shaukat Sultan said that on Wednesday. The prime minister said Pakistan had proposed including cruise that the Pakistan Air Force had a vital missile tests in the memorandum of role to play in making defence credible. understanding (MoU) on the pre- notification of missile tests, but the 17 August 2005 Indians had rejected it. Work on the controversial Baglihar hydroelectric power project hit another 12 August 2005 snag when one of its diversion tunnels Pakistan conducted a successful test collapsed due to a landslide late on flight of its first-ever Ground Launched Sunday. This is the second tunnel that Cruise Missile (GLCM) - Hatf VII Babur has collapsed within the past two - that can carry nuclear and months. Reports stated that a landslide conventional warheads to a range of 500 hit the dam's site, which blocked the km. flow of Chenab River for more than an hour, causing the dam to overflow. The 11 August 2005 leadership of Pakistan and India is Pakistan and India announced determined to move the peace process important measures to boost bilateral forward and resolve all disputes trade and proposed shipping and including the Kashmir issue, Foreign aviation talks in September with a rare Office Spokesman Naeem Khan has urgency to widen their business links. said. Indian Commerce Secretary S.N. Menon and Pakistan's acting Commerce 16 August 2005 Secretary Syed Asif Shah concluded two Pakistan will continue to improve its days of discussions with a joint missile technology, said Prime Minister statement on economic and commercial Shaukat Aziz while referring to the cooperation, which now becomes part of successful test fire of a cruise missile. their composite dialogue process. The second round of talks on economic and 15 August 2005 commercial cooperation between India Marking its 59th Independence Day, and Pakistan concluded with a decision Pakistan vowed to improve its nuclear to expeditiously clear opening of and missile capabilities while asserting branches of scheduled banks in each that the resolution of the Kashmir issue other's countries to facilitate bilateral was "a must for durable peace" in South trade. In the second round of talks on Asia. economic issues, India and Pakistan have agreed to take steps to review 14 August 2005 aviation and shipping agreements. Pointing out that there was a sharp increase in infiltration from across the 10 August 2005 border, Defence Minister Pranab Shaukat Aziz said that India, Pakistan Mukherjee said greater vigil would be and Kashmiris would have to resolve
21 INDO-PAK PEACE PROCESS CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS 2004-05 the Kashmir issue, which had held Central Asian republics, permission for regional peace hostage for a long time. private Indian airlines and branches of India and Pakistan agreed to hold Indian banks to operate in Pakistan and technical-level talks next month on amendment to the Shipping Protocol finding out ways to boost air and 1974. India and Pakistan reached an shipping links which, if all goes well, understanding on the proposed may result in the entry of private Agreement on Pre-Notification of Flight airlines in the sub continental skies and Testing of Ballistic Missiles which emergence of the hitherto-unknown commits both sides to pre-notify in a concept of third-country shipping structured format flight testing of between the two neighbours. ballistic missiles. Trilateral discussions among India, Iran and Pakistan on the 9 August 2005 proposed Indo-Iranian gas pipeline are India rejected Pakistan's proposal of expected to begin by the year-end, Mani reducing troops in both Kashmirs, along Shankar Aiyar has said. The process of the Line of Control (LoC) and on collecting and sharing information to Siachen, saying that while troops had enable project structuring would be been redeployed in Kashmir despite the concluded by the end of November, said violence last year, there were no reports Mr. Aiyar. of Pakistani troops withdrawing from Kashmir. Pakistan-based top militant 6 August 2005 Sayed Salahuddin has said the India and Pakistan began the third conglomerate of Jihadi outfits headed by round of expert-level talks on nuclear him was ready to declare a ceasefire in confidence building measures (CBMs) Jammu and Kashmir if President Pervez wherein the two sides reviewed the Musharraf or any "major" country progress made in the previous two assured that India would declare rounds. The two neighbours have been Kashmir as a "disputed" territory and negotiating the issue of prior withdraw its troops. notification on missile tests but have not arrived at a mutually acceptable 8 August 2005 decision. Encouraged by tangible progress at the two-day dialogue on nuclear CBMs, 5 August 2005 Pakistan and India will hold day-long The next round of India-Pakistan talks on conventional confidence- nuclear CBMs talks begins under the building measures (CBMs) today. shadow of uncertainties that have erupted on implementation of the eight- 7 August 2005 point areas of cooperation agreed at the Pakistan and India will discuss Cultural Secretaries-level talks between commercial and economic cooperation the two countries that concluded in in New Delhi on 9-10 August. Islamabad on 27 July. As per the Commerce Ministry Additional timetable, the second round of the Secretary Syed Asif Shah is likely to lead dialogue will be completed by the the Pakistani delegation to India. New month-end. Delhi will seek Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status from Islamabad, transit of its goods for export to Afghanistan and
22 IPCS Special Report 06 January 2006
4 August 2005 this week. Talks on confidence-building A Pakistan's delegation will arrive in measures (CBMs) in conventional New Delhi to hold two-day expert-level defence mechanisms are scheduled for talks with Indian counterparts on 5-6 August and those on nuclear CBMs nuclear Confidence Building Measures for 8 August. They are part of the (CBMs). The nine-member delegation ongoing composite dialogue between will be led by Additional Secretary, the countries. India has abandoned its Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Iran plans to pull out troops from Jammu proposed signing a memorandum of and Kashmir and has decided to understanding (MoU) with India on reinforce the military deployment along Wednesday for setting a timeframe for the Line of Control (LoC) with more implementation of the $7.4 billion Iran- troops and weapons. Pakistan-India gas pipeline project. Tehran proposed the MoU at the 1 August 2005 beginning of a two-day meeting of Top commerce officials of Pakistan and special Joint Working Group on the India meet in New Delhi on 9-10 August pipeline. It is similar to that signed with to discuss 30 Indian proposals for Pakistan last month and sets a clear promotion of bilateral trade and timeframe. Pakistan and India will sign commercial and economic cooperation. the much awaited agreement on Six of the Indian proposals that it would advance notification of missile tests at make in the forthcoming meeting of the the end of their two-day talks starting commerce secretaries are new while 24 tomorrow in New Delhi whereas the were submitted by New Delhi at a proposed foreign secretaries level similar meeting last year. Meanwhile, hotline is likely to be established. The the final round of talks between upcoming talks between the South Pakistan and India on the Kishanganga Asian nuclear states would focus on dam has been delayed again, with both confidence-building measures (CBMs) sides still struggling to find a 'suitable' on nuclear side with both the sides time for dialogue. According to sources willing to sign the agreement on in the Pakistan Commissionerate of the advance notification of missile tests. Indus Basin Water Treaty, the delay has been caused by the Indian refusal to 3 August 2005 entertain Pakistan's request for talks on Gas pipelines from all possible foreign 30 July, as its delegation (already in sources will work as India's lifeline in India to inspect the Baglihar dam) had meeting its energy requirements, as completed its work and was available domestic production would not be able for talks on the Kishanganga dam. India to meet even half of the country's maintained that since many demand in 20 years; Indian Petroleum departments were involved in the Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar told the process it was difficult to gather all of Rajya Sabha or upper house of them on the date given by Pakistan. parliament. JULY 2005 2 August 2005 31 July 2005 Pakistan will reiterate its demand for India will make six new proposals, reduction of forces in Jammu and including permanently opening the Kashmir at the talks in New Delhi later Wagah-Atari border for trade, to
23 INDO-PAK PEACE PROCESS CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS 2004-05
Pakistan during talks on commercial height and design was contradicting and economic cooperation in New Delhi provisions of the treaty. After reaching from 9-10 August, media reports said. on fruitful decisions on the opening day, Pakistani experts and engineers have the Indian and Pakistani officials completed comprehensive inspection of cancelled their second round of talks for the controversial 450MW Baglihar promotion of friendly exchanges in Hydel Power project being constructed various fields. The two countries by India Kashmir. decided on Tuesday for increasing the number of pilgrims up to 3,000 and the 30 July 2005 visit of Pakistanis to Muslim holy places Calling for sustained efforts to ensure in India besides hosting Pakistani film the success of the India-Pakistan peace festival in India. process, participants in the first ever intra-Kashmir dialogue here on Friday 27 July 2005 laid stress on extending confidence- A Pakistani team studied the flow of building measures to other areas as River Chenab in Jammu and Kashmir on well. A focussed peace process would which the 450 megawatt Baglihar hydro also prepare the ground for resolving project is situated. The five-member the Kashmir issue, they said. Dr Pakistani Delegation was headed by Manmohan Singh appeared to assure Ground Water Commission parliament on Friday that the Iran gas Commissioner Syed Jamaat Ali Shah. pipeline project was no issue with the Meanwhile, India said that so far there George W. Bush and his administration had been no official discussion with the accepted New Delhi's legitimate United States on the India -Pakistan-Iran requirements from 'all sources' of gas pipeline project. On the US concern energy. President Musharraf and Indian over this project, Mani Shankar Aiyar PM Manmohan Singh in a telephone told that it was a matter of record that conversation agreed to avoid statements the Iran-Libya Sanctions Act 1996 that could endanger the ongoing peace continued on the US Statute book. Aiyar process between both countries. denied any differences within the government on the $7.4-billion Iran- 29 July 2005 Pakistan-India gas pipeline and said Pakistan PM Shaukat Aziz has said that New Delhi was going ahead with the recent "negative statements" from India project as scheduled. do not deter his country and it will continue to strive for the resolution of 26 July 2005 all outstanding issues with New Delhi. A team of Indian and Pakistani experts India said that incidents like the recent on Monday visited the Baglihar hydel attack in Ayodhya would disrupt the project in Doda of Jammu and Kashmir. peace process with Pakistan. The step was aimed at finding a bilateral solution to the controversy regarding 28 July 2005 the waters of the 450-mw project on the The Pakistani expert team that visited Chenab. The team will prepare a report Baglihar dam's site on the Indian side of on the present status of the project on the Line of Control has found on the Tuesday and Wednesday. Pakistani ground that the project was violating officials ruled out joint control of the the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) and its billion-dollar Baglihar Dam after
24 IPCS Special Report 06 January 2006 visiting the project. Islamabad opposed functions being organised in an attempt the project saying when completed it to keep the peace dialogue with would deprive Punjab of vital irrigation Pakistan on track despite provocations water. Officials said the plant also by militant groups. violates the 44-year-old Indus Water Treaty brokered by the World Bank. 12 July 2005 India and Pakistan began talks on 25 July 2005 formulating a timetable for building the A high level seven-member Indian $4.1-billion Iran-Pakistan-India gas delegation will arrive here today as part pipeline with Islamabad stating it of the Pakistan-India composite would proceed on the project keeping dialogue. Pakistan and India will its national interest in mind. discuss various steps to ease visa restrictions for cultural activities and 7 July 2005 exchanges programmes between the Vast rural areas of major cities near the two countries. The subject, favourite of Chenab river in Pakistan are facing Indians, would be taken up during two- imminent high flood situation after day secretary-level talks. The talks will India without any prior warning also encompass release of fishermen released 564,000 cusecs water into the arrested by the two countries, provision river from Baglihar Dam following of more facilities for visitors of religious collapse of one of its tunnels. places on both sides and matters pertaining to the archaeological sites. 4 July 2005 Pakistan and India have decided to hold 24 July 2005 nuclear talks on August 2 and 3 in New Two months after the World Bank Delhi with official quarters here saying appointed a Swiss mediator to hear its that a vital agreement on advance apprehensions, a five-member team of warning of missile tests is on the cards. experts from Pakistan arrived here for a Pakistan asked India to abandon the three-day inspection tour of the Baglihar Wullar barrage project on the Jhelum hydel project in Doda district. The team river as it would cause interference in and eight Indian experts arrived from the flow of water, which was against the New Delhi and left for Baglihar. They terms of the 1960 Indus Water Treaty. will inspect the dam and reservoir of the project on 25 July. JUNE 2005 27 June 2005 22 July 2005 Pakistan's Water Resources Secretary Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has Ashfaq Hussain arrived in New Delhi expressed concern about the security of for talks with his Indian counterpart on Pakistan's nuclear weapons should the Tulbul navigational project-cum- President Pervez Musharraf be removed Wullar Barrage in Jammu and Kashmir, from office. work on which is stalled for the past 17 years. 21 July 2005 The Centre has decided to keep Vijay 25 June 2005 Diwas, marking the 1999 Kargil victory, India has rejected Pakistan Information a low-key affair with no central Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed's
25 INDO-PAK PEACE PROCESS CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS 2004-05 application to travel by the 16 June 2005 Muzaffarabad-Srinagar bus. The India has excluded Pakistanis and External Affairs Ministry spokesman Bangladeshis while deciding to grant told mediapersons here on Friday: "The "Overseas Citizenship" to all people of Government of India has processed the Indian origin, provided their home application and has declined to accord countries permit the dual citizenship. permission taking into account all relevant aspects involved." 15 June 2005 Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front 24 June 2005 Chief Yasin Malik's reported statement With the 150th anniversary of that event about an alleged support of Pakistan's - hailed by many as India's first war of information minister Shiekh Rashid to Independence - approaching, three parts the armed Kashmiri separatists has of the subcontinent are coming together snowballed into a major diplomatic to celebrate the uprising. The controversy attracting sharp rea ction government announced that both from India and a possibility of the Pakistan and Bangladesh would join minister's denial of a permission to India to share the big moment in their travel to Srinagar. shared history. 13 June 2005 20 June 2005 Giving a cold response to Prime Pakistan and India have postponed the Minister Manmohan Singh's statement two-day talks over Wullar Barrage favouring the conversion of the Siachen dispute scheduled for June 24-25 upon glacier into a peace mountain, Pakistan the latter's request. Now the two sides today maintained its stand that India are likely to hold the crucial parleys by vacate its "aggression" and withdraw its this month end. troops to positions held at the time of 1972 Simla Agreement. 18 June 2005 Pakistan and India have put off their 12 June 2005 nuclear talks till the last week of July to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is the reach consensus on vital issue before first Indian Prime Minister to visit the formal deliberations. The South Asian Siachen and calls that the time had come nuclear rivals had earlier agreed to hold to convert the world's highest the talks on nuclear CBMs in the current battlefield, Siachen, into a "peace month of June. mountain" without redrawing Pakistan has urged India to remove "established borders". tariff and non-tariff barriers to enhance trade ties between the two countries. A 10 June 2005 number of tariff and non-tariff barriers, With more Indians visiting Pakistan, the sources said, had been identified Interior Ministry issued fresh visa rules between the two countries, with New asking visitors to file applications at Delhi making promises to remove major least eight weeks in advance. complaints of the Pakistani exporters and importers and other businessmen. 4 June 2005 Petroleum Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar arrived in Lahore on an official visit. Mr.
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Aiyar will hold discussions with his world's highest battlefield. The Indian Pakistani counterpart on energy secretary defence will hold talks, cooperation between India and already scheduled for 26-27 May. Pakistan. 24 May 2005 3 June 2005 A 100-member Indian business Talks between India and Pakistan to delegation arrived in Pakistan to discuss resolve differences on the 330-MW trade opportunities after the recent thaw Kishenganga Hydro-power project in relations between the two countries. being built on the Jhelum in Jammu and Kashmir remained inconclusive. 22 May 2005 Pakistan rejects media reports 1 June 2005 suggesting there had been some India and Pakistan hold an exclusive skirmishes with Indian forces near Sir meeting on the Kishanganga Storage Creek. and Power Project after exchanging the draft of the Indus Water Commission's 13 May 2005 (IWC) report for 2004-05. The Indo-Pak Indus Basin commissions agreed on 12 May to continue dialogue MAY 2005 to remove Pakistan's objections to the 29 May 2005 construction of the Krishanganga India and Pakistan commenced talks on hydroelectric power plant on Jhelum Sir Creek, the disputed coastal strip off River. They also signed a summary of the Gujarat coast, with a review of the the three-day meeting. joint survey conducted in January this year to identify the boundary pillars 11 May 2005 installed in 1924 to demarcate the area. Pakistan and India failed to strike a breakthrough during a 10-hour 28 May 2005 marathon session on the last day of the India and Pakistan have failed to make first round of their talks on Kishanganga headway at the Defence Secretary-level project. talks on the demilitarisation of Siachen as both sides stuck to their stands. 10 May 2005 The third round of talks between the 25 May 2005 Indian and Pakistani Indus Basin Ahead of the defence secretary-level commissions started today. The two talks in Islamabad on May 26-27, the countries discussed Pakistan's objections Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) to the Kishanganga hydroelectric power decides to stick to India's position that plant on the Neelum River. there will be no troop withdrawal from Minister for Railways Mian Shamim Siachen Glacier-Saltoro Ridge till Haider will formally inaugurate work Pakistan agrees to "authenticate" ground on a second rail link between Pakistan positions. and India in Mirpurkhas on 10 May. An Indian delegation, headed by its India and Pakistan on the first day of secretary defence, is arriving here today the technical talks on Amritsar-Lahore on a three-day official visit to hold talks bus service agreed to begin the service on troops withdrawal from Siachen, the once in a week. The two sides will hold
27 INDO-PAK PEACE PROCESS CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS 2004-05 last round of the two-day talks pledged to increase transport links tomorrow. across divided Kashmir, Indian Prime Pakistani and Indian maritime officials Minister Manmohan Singh said reading have started talks at Ministry of Defence from a joint statement. India and in Rawalpindi for setting up a Pakistan vowed decided to pursue the communication link between them. proposed $4b gas pipeline from Iran to South Asia, shrugging off US concerns 5 May 2005 over the project. Pakistan has identified certain tariff and non-tariff barriers being imposed by 17 April 2005 India to marginalize its exports that The Pakistan President, Pervez includes higher tariffs, import bans, Musharraf arrives in New Delhi. quotas, import licensing, restrictions through state monopolies, certification 13 April 2005 requirements, inter-provincial With the fate of Indo-Iran gas pipeline movement of goods, limited ports and remaining uncertain amidst concerns inland customs posts. raised by the USA, Pakistan today invited India to join the TAP APRIL 2005 (Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan) 27 April 2005 pipeline project. The second round of Pakistan-India composite dialogue, which was 7 April 2005 scheduled for April-June, has been Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh delayed and now it is likely to be held flagged off the bus service between between May and September this year. Srinagar and Muzaffarabad.
26 April 2005 2 April 2005 The World Bank announced it was India and Pakistan have launched 'back- ready to appoint a neutral expert to channel diplomacy' to prepare for resolve the Baglihar dam water dispute President Pervez Musharraf's planned between India and Pakistan. visit to New Delhi on 16 April.
23 April 2005 1 April 2005 Border forces of Pakistan and India have Pakistan has denied permission to a made 'significant progress' on some number of non-Hurriyat, Kashmiri 'sensitive and delicate' issues and agreed political leaders, including Mehbooba to complete joint verification, repair and Mufti, Omar Abdullah and Mohammad maintenance of boundary pillars along Yusuf Tarigami, to travel to the international border and to maintain Muzaffarabad by bus from Srinagar on 7 status quo on the disputed land. April.
18 April 2005 MARCH 2005 A joint has been issued after the meeting 27 March 2005 between President Pervaiz Musharraf After a delay of two decades, the US has and Indian Premier Manmohan Singh. decided to sell the latest version of F-16 India and Pakistan agreed that their fighter planes to Pakistan. The number peace process was "irreversible" and of aircraft to be supplied is subject to
28 IPCS Special Report 06 January 2006 negotiations, but the State Department Punjab, Amarinder Singh, who started spokesman made it clear that these his four-day Pakistan visit this morning. would be new planes and not those manufactured for Pakistan in the 1980s. 9 March 2005 Pakistan wants India to remove 23 March 2005 restrictive trade policies, like non-tariff Commemorating the 13th century visit barriers, which inhibit export growth of famous Sufi saint Hazrat from Pakistan, to allow consideration of Nizamuddin Auliya to Multan in other issues, like the Most-Favoured Pakistan, a march for peace to the same Nation (MFN) status. A team of doctors destination was flagged off from New of Pakistani origin has offered to adopt Delhi by eminent peace activists. an Indian village to take care of all its healthcare needs. 21 March 2005 Pakistan has built bunkers and A 92-member delegation from Pakistan reinforced defence structures in today joined the re-enactment of the Tanghdar, Batalik, Kargil and Nowshera Dandi March organised by the All-India sectors since the November 2003 Congress Committee to commemorate ceasefire along the Line of Control the 75th anniversary of the historic yatra (LoC), Indian Defence Minister Pranab led by Mahatma Gandhi. Mukherjee said.
18 March 2005 8 March 2005 Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said that today sent out a cautious signal to India had accepted Pakistan's proposal Washington that the supply of weapons for an 'energy corridor' and the Indian including F-16 fighter planes, by the petroleum minister would be invited for USA to Pakistan could impact the talks on the project. composite dialogue between New Delhi and Islamabad. 7 March 2005 Pakistan, engaged in improving 16 March 2005 relations with India, said it was Pakistan Foreign Affairs Minister preparing for an early release of 700 Khursheed Mahmood Kasuri says there Indian prisoners whose nationality had is no need for third party mediation on been confirmed by the Indian Kashmir issue. Government.
15 March 2005 6 March 2005 The Pakistan government has issued Hordes of Pakistani cricket fans today release orders for 589 Indian prisoners swooped down on the border checkpost as a gesture of goodwill towards New at Wagah for the first Test between Delhi, an official statement said. India and Pakistan in Mohali.
14 March 2005 2 March 2005 Lahore, the capital of Pakistan's Punjab The Pakistan Prime Minister, Shaukat province, accorded an unprecedented Aziz, said that Islamabad was going reception to the Chief Minister of Indian ahead with the arrangements to begin
29 INDO-PAK PEACE PROCESS CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS 2004-05 the Muzaffarabad-Srinagar bus service 19 January 2005 from 7 April. Terming the firing from across the Over 900 Indian fishermen and civilians border in Jammu and Kashmir as who have completed their jail terms are "violation of ceasefire", India take up the expected to be released soon, the issue with Pakistan. Pakistan Foreign Office said. 10 January 2005 1 March 2005 Pakistan asks India to suspend work on The Pakistan President, Pervez the Baglihar dam, warning that the issue Musharraf, has ordered the immediate could sour peace process between the release of 200 Indian civilian prisoners two countries. who have completed their term in Pakistan's jails. 6 January 2005 Pakistan repatriates 266 Indian FEBRUARY 2005 fishermen, caught on the charge of 28 February 2005 illegally entering the Pakistani waters, India made it clear that it would go via the Wagah border crossing. ahead with the controversial Baglihar dam project in Jammu and Kashmir that 5 January 2005 Pakistan has taken to the World Bank India and Pakistan have launched the for arbitration. joint survey of Sir Creek, the disputed coastal strip off Gujarat coast, to identify 22-23 February 2005 the boundary pillars installed in 1924. The two-day meeting of Joint Study Group (JSG) (on economic cooperation), 4-5 January 2005 set-up Working/Sub-Groups on India and Pakistan hold bilateral talks Customs Cooperation & Trade on Baglihar Dam issue. The talks fail to Facilitation and Non-Tariff Barriers produce any positive outcome except (NTBs). exchange of technical data.
15-17 February 2005 DECEMBER 2004 Indian Foreign Minister Natwar Singh's 31 December 2004 three-day visit to Pakistan. Agreement India and Pakistan exchange lists of on Srinagar-Muzaffarabad was their nuclear installations and facilities concluded; an agreement for covered under the Agreement on the operationalising the new bus service Prohibition of Attack Against Nuclear between Amritsar and Lahore also was Installations and Facilities. reached. 27-28 December 2004 JANUARY 2005 Foreign Secretary level talks to review 29 January 2005 second round of Composite Dialogue in Pakistan arrests 43 Indian fishermen Islamabad pledge to carry the peace and seizes their seven boats off the coast process forward and explore other of Karachi for allegedly entering its confidence-building measures. territorial waters.
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14-15 December 2004 NOVEMBER 2004 Talks on nuclear and conventional 25 November 2004 confidence building measures end with India accepts to reopen Khokhrapar- no tangible outcome. The two sides, Munabao rail link between Pakistan and however, decide to meet again. India India by October next year. and Pakistan in two day talks on Sir Creek have agreed to begin a joint 23-24 November 2004 survey of boundary pillars in the Pakistani Prime Minister, ShaikatAziz disputed area. visits India.
12-13 December 2004 SPETEMBER 2004 The two-day delegation-level talks on 5-6 September 2004 drug-trafficking end with both countries Review the status of the Composite resolving to wage war against the Dialogue by the Foreign Ministers. menace of narcotics and psychedelic substances. 4 September 2004 Review progress in the Composite 7-8 December 2004 Dialogue and report to the Foreign Two-day talks on proposed bus service Ministers. between Srinagar and Muzafarabad fails on the issue of travel documents to be AUGUST 2004 used by commuters. The two countries 3-4 August 2004 decide to talk again. Composite Dialogue on Promotion of Friendly Exchanges. 4 December 2004 Pakistan and India on Saturday agreed 5-6 August 2004 to hold next round of talks in Composite Dialogue on Demilitarising Karachi/Islamabad to carry forward the Siachen Glacier. discussions on draft proposals for finalising Memorandum of 6-7 August 2004 Understanding to establish hotlines Composite Dialogue on Demarcation of between the Maritime Security Agency the international boundary between the and Indian Coast Guards. two countries in the Sir Creek area .
2-3 December 2004 10-11 August 2004 Indian and Pakistani Railway Composite Dialogue on Terrorism and delegations meet in Islamabad to Drug Trafficking. discuss on the restoration of the Munabao-Khokhrapar rail link. 11-12 August 2004 Economic and Commercial Cooperation. 2 December 2004 Commanders of the Border Security JULY 2004 Force (BSF) and Pakistan Rangers reach 29-30 July 2004 an agreement to delegate powers to the Composite Dialogue on Wullar area commanders to make a ground Barrage/Tulbul Navigation Project. assessment and resolve a border dispute.
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JUNE 2004 27-28 June 2004 Composite Dialogue on Confidence Building Measures and Jammu & Kashmir.
JANUARY 2004 6 January 2004 India, Pakistan announce resumption of bilateral talks on all issues, including Kashmir, to begin in February.
5 January 2004 Vajpayee and Pakistan President Gen. Pervez Musharraf meet for the first time since 2001.
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