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Ghs_khatkar_khatkar
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Sir, for the present, all that we have agreed is that the two Foreign Secretaries will meet. The two Foreign Secretaries have been meeting even before the Joint Statement. Further, we have agreed that the two Foreign Ministers will meet on the sidelines of the General Assembly. The two Foreign Ministers have been meeting even before the Statement was issued. They met recently in Trieste. I met President Zardari in Russia. I met Prime Minister Gilani even before this Statement. So in operational terms all that we have agreed is that there will be a meeting of Foreign Secretaries, as often as necessary, followed by a meeting of the two Foreign Ministers on the sidelines of the General Assembly.
Does it involve a surrender of any position? Does it involve a weakening of a position? As neighbours, I sincerely believe that it is our obligation to keep channels of communication open, look at what is happening in the world today. America and Iran were sworn enemies for 30 years. But now they feel compelled to enter into dialogue. This is happening all over the world and unless we want to go to war with Pakistan, there is no other way but to go step by step; trust but verify is the only possible way of dealing with Pakistan.