FM could attempt to thaw Indo-Pak bilateral talks freeze

* Haq due in New Delhi next week for SAARC FMs’ conference
* SAARC ministers to appoint new secretary general
* Conference expected to focus on improving regional connectivity

By Iftikhar Gilani

NEW DELHI: Pakistan may try to break the virtual freeze on bilateral talks enforced by India during a visit by its Foreign Minister Inamul Haq. The minister arrives here next week to participate in the SAARC ministerial conference being convened to review progress on the Delhi Declaration adopted at the 14th Summit in April.

Besides his SAARC engagements, he has requested a meeting with his Indian counterpart, Pranab Mukherjee, to break the ice. Diplomatic sources said Haq is keen to discuss bilateral issues, including a review of progress on the peace process since the fourth round of the composite dialogue.

New secretary general: At the two-day conference scheduled for December 7 and 8, the SAARC ministers will appoint a new secretary general for the group. The tenure of the incumbent, Chenkyab Dorji of Bhutan, expires in February next year. India is fielding the only contender for the post, Sheel Kant Sharma, currently an envoy in Vienna, for the post. This will be the second highest position secured by an Indian at the multilateral fora.

Improving connectivity: The ministerial conference is expected to carry forward the idea of improving intra-regional connectivity, referring to improved physical, economic and people-to-people contacts.

The conference will also consider regional agreements to finalise sub-regional and regional projects based on the recommendations of the SAARC Regional Multi-modal Transport Study (SRMTS). The issue has already been discussed by the SAARC transport ministers. The foreign ministers will review pilot projects, as recommended by the transport ministers. Issues of physical infrastructure and matters relating to customs clearance and other facilitation measures, including multi-modal transport operations, will come under consideration.

The pilot sub-regional and regional projects to be taken up for consideration cover linkages between India, Bhutan and Sri Lanka, including the rail corridor between Colombo and Chennai, and a ferry service between Colombo and Cochin. Air connectivity between Male-New Delhi and Islamabad will also be considered. The ministers will also discuss the implementation of the SAARC Development Fund, devised to help alleviate poverty in the region. They will also discuss the potential of setting up of an energy grid in the region to help the energy-starved region cooperate in sharing available energy sources and strengthening renewable sources of energy such as hydropower, bio-fuel, solar and wind.

The meeting coincides with the SAARC cultural festival, which will showcase paintings, arts, crafts, folk music, dance, dramas and textiles from all eight SAARC nations. Pakistani bands are scheduled to perform at Connaught Place, the centre of New Delhi.

The Indian External Affairs Ministry and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations have commissioned the country’s apex fashion organisation to organise a fashion event on December 7. The Fashion Design Council of India will host an exhibition of the rich textile traditions in SAARC countries to boost the textiles and crafts industries in the region. Ritu Kumar and Anamika Khanna will represent India at the event.

Leading Pakistani designers, artists, painters and theatre artists have arrived here to participate in the event.

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