Indo-Pak Relations

Friday, October 24, 2003

Press Statement

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement:

On Indo-Pakistan Relations

The set of twelve proposals made by the government of India to further normalise relations between India and Pakistan is a welcome step. The proposals range from extending travel links by road and air to ferry services. They also propose the resumption of sporting links between the two countries and steps to strengthen people to people relations. All those who wish for peace and normalcy in the relations between the two countries will support an agreement between the two governments on all such measures.

The CPI(M) has consistently maintained that irrespective of the serious problems that exist in the relations between the two countries, it is only through improvement of bilateral relations that we can go forward to seeking to resolve the differences.

The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) expects the ongoing steps being taken to normalise relations, to lead to the resumption of dialogue between the two countries at the political level.