US embassy cable - 04NEWDELHI7427

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 05 NEW DELHI 007427 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/15/2014 
TAGS: PREL, ETRD, KNNP, MOPS, IN, PK, GOI, INDO-PAK 
SUBJECT: GOI DOCUMENT: DEVELOPMENTS IN INDIA-PAKISTAN 
RELATIONS SINCE APRIL 2003 
 
REF: NEW DELHI 7395 
 
Classified By: PolCouns Geoffrey Pyatt, Reasons 1.4 (B,D). 
 
1.  (C) During a November 19 meeting reviewing the agenda for 
the upcoming Indo-Pak composite dialogue (reftel), MEA Joint 
Secretary (Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran) Arun K. Singh shared 
 
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with us four papers outlining progress in the Indo-Pak 
relationship since 2003, pending bilateral proposals, 
unilateral Indian actions, and areas where India perceives 
Pakistan to be dragging its feet.  Following is the Indian 
paper on "Progress in the Indo-Pak Relationship Since 2003," 
the main thrust of which is to highlight the numerous areas 
where the two sides have narrowed differences since 
Vajpayee's hand of friendship speech.  This upbeat catalogue 
of accomplishments reflects the generally positive GOI 
assessment of the Indo-Pak dialogue. 
 
2.  (SBU) Begin Text GOI paper: "Progress in the Indo-Pak 
Relationship Since 2003" 
 
Normalization of Diplomatic Relations 
 
1. Relations restored at the level of High Commissioners 
(July 2003) 
 
2. Restoration of the strength of the High Commissions to the 
original level of 110. (1st phase: increase to 55 from 47, 
July 2003; 2nd phase: increase to 75 from 55, 31 Dec 2003; 
restoration to 110 agreed on 28 June 2004) 
 
3. Removal of restrictions on the movement of High Commission 
personnel (January 2004) 
 
Restoration of Transport and Communication links 
 
4. Delhi-Lahore bus service resumed on July 11, 2003. 
 
5. The point-to-point air services and over-flights resumed 
with effect from January 1,2004. 
 
6. Samjhauta Express and freight train services resumed from 
January 15,2004. 
 
7. Roaming facility on mobile telephony between India and 
Pakistan that was introduced in March 2004 extended till 
further orders. 
 
People to People exchanges 
 
8. High profile exchanges at the level of Parliamentarians. 
 
Following visits have taken place in a private capacity: 
 
-- A 12-member delegation of Pakistani MP's visited India in 
May 2003 at the invitation of India-Pakistan Forum for Peace; 
 
-- An 8-member Indian Parliamentary delegation led by then 
Rajya Sabha MP Shri Kuldip Nayar and sponsored by Pakistan- 
India People's Forum of Peace and Democracy (PIFPD) made a 
non-official visit to Pakistan from June 17- 25, 2003; 
 
--Maulana Fazlur Rehman led a four-member delegation from 
JUI(F) of Pakistan at the invitation of Jamiat Ulema-i-Hind 
from July 15 to 24, 2003; 
 
-- A large delegation of MPs and journalists visited 
Islamabad on August 9-13, 2003 in the context of SAFMA (South 
Asia Free Media Association) meeting and focused on 
India-Pakistan issues; 
 
-- In October 2003, a 6-member delegation of Pakistani 
Senators and MNAs (Member of National Assembly) visited 
India.  The delegation included 5 MNAs from the PPP; 
 
-- A seven member ANP delegation led by Asfandyar Wali Khan 
traveled to India from December 10-17, 2003 at the invitation 
of the Hindustan Times; 
 
-- Thirty-two members of Parliament from Pakistan belonging 
to all parties visited Mumbai in January 2004 to attend the 
World Social Forum; 
 
-- There was a visit of the Deputy Chairperson of the Rajya 
Sabha, Mrs. Najma Heptullah to Pakistan from 10-12 February 
2004 for the First Ladies Meeting of RSC-AP; 
 
-- A Visit of 4-MPs as part of a larger delegation led by 
Mrs. Nirmala Deshpande to Pakistan from August 26-30, 2004 
under the programme "Inter faith Peace Pilgrimage"; 
 
-- The Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and 
Transparency (PILDA T) conducted a study tour to India from 
August 28 to September 4, 2004 for a Pakistani delegation 
comprising of parliamentarians and other experts; 
 
Invitation extended by the Speaker, Lok Sabha to the Speaker 
of the Pakistan National Assembly to visit India (21 
September 2004).  The dates of the visit are to be decided 
through diplomatic channels; 
 
9. Exchange of business delegations. Some of these include: 
-- A 120 member business delegation from the Federation of 
Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry, which visited 
India for the third meeting of the India-Pakistan Chamber of 
Commerce and Industry (July 2003); 
 
-- A group of Pakistani CEO's visited India for the 
establishment of India-Pakistan CEO's Forum and the launching 
of an India-Pakistan trade website (October 2003); 
 
-- Over fifty Pakistanis participated in the India 
International Trade Fair-2003 (November 15- 30, 2003); 
 
-- A large delegation of Pakistani businessmen traveled to 
India for the PAPEREX, 2003 exhibition (December 2003); 
 
-- A 23 member Pakistani IT-delegation attended the "Annual 
National Association of Software and Service Companies" 
(NASSCOM) at Mumbai (03-06 February 2004); 
 
-- A 25 member business delegation from Pakistani Chambers of 
Commerce & Industry for the International Fair for Consumer 
Goods (MIFCG'04 at EXPO Centre, World Trade Centre, Mumbai 
(9-15 February 2004); 
 
-- Over 22 Pakistani business houses participated in the 
exclusive "Made in Pakistan Exhibition" in New Delhi (3-15 
March 2004); 
 
-- A 19-member trade delegation from Faisalabad Chambers of 
Commerce and Industry visited Delhi, Agra and Mumbai (15-22 
May, 2004); 
 
-- A textile exporters delegation led by Ahmed Kamal visited 
India at the invitation of CII'- (September 04); 
 
-- Federation of Pakistani Chambers of Commerce and Industry 
will participate in the India International Trade Fair-2004 
to be held in New Delhi in November 2004 
 
10. Senior citizens (65 years and above) allowed to cross 
Wagah on foot (October 22, 2003). 
 
11. The Resumption of bilateral sporting contacts between the 
two countries.  The following important exchanges have taken 
place: 
 
-- The Indian cricket team toured Pakistan in March 2004 
after a gap of about 15 years; 
 
-- The Indian Hockey team visited Pakistan in September 2004, 
and the Pakistan hockey team toured India in October 2004; 
 
12. The Resumption of visits by Pilgrim groups from 2003 
onwards after a gap of about 2 years. These included the 
visit of pilgrim groups from India on the occasion of 
Baisakhi in April, the Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev in June, 
the Barsi of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in June, the birth 
anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev in November, and Katasraj and 
Hayat Pitafi in November very year.  Similarly, groups of 
Pakistani pilgrims resumed their visits to Kalyar Sharief, 
Ajmer Sharif, and Sirhind Sharif. 
 
13. Unilateral Visa relaxation measures undertaken by India 
(18 September 2004). These included relaxations for the grant 
of visas to journalists, senior citizens, doctors, 
Academicians and professors, Vice Chancellors, and those 
coming to attend conferences in India.  A visit of a group of 
21 Pakistani journalists to J&K from October 8-12, 2004 was 
facilitated under the aegis of SAFMA. 
 
14. Agreement to introduce a new category of tourist visas in 
the Visa Agreement between India and Pakistan, and to promote 
group tourism (September 8,2004). 
 
15. Further measures for facilitation of visits to religious 
shrines, and upkeep of historical sites. (agreed on September 
8, 2004). 
 
-- India has allowed Pakistani pilgrims to visits places 
outsides the bilateral protocol of 1974, including about 400 
pilgrims to Khandoor Sahib in April 2004, about 1000 pilgrims 
to Golden Temple in August- September 2004 for "Prakash 
Utsav", and 12 pilgrims to Charar-e-Sharief in J&K from 
October 26-31,2004. 
 
-- India has agreed to provide sand stones for repair and 
maintenance of Jehangir's Tomb in Lahore. 
 
Humanitarian issues 
 
16. The Government of India decided to fully fund the travel, 
stay and medical treatment of 20 Pakistani children (July 24, 
2003). All 20 children have received treatment. Scheme 
extended to 20 more Pakistani children (October 22, 2003), 
out of which 18 have already received treatment. 
 
17. Civilian prisoners and fishermen have been released on 
both sides. India has released 93 fishermen in 2003, and has 
provided consular access to all 108 fishermen under detention 
in India.  Besides, 61 Pakistani civilian prisoners have been 
released since April 2003. 
 
18. India and Pakistan have agreed to put in place a 
mechanism for the non-apprehension of unintentionally 
transgressing fishermen (June 28, 2004). 
 
Confidence building Measures 
 
19. A Ceasefire has been in effect since November 25, 2003, 
extending from the International Border and the Line of 
Control to the Actual Ground Position Line in Jammu and 
Kashmir. 
 
20. Agreement, in principle, to re-establish respective 
Consulates General in Karachi and Mumbai (June 28, 2004). 
 
21. Agreement to upgrade, dedicate and secure the existing 
hotline between the DGMOs (June 20, 2004) 
 
22. To establish hotline between Foreign Secretaries (June 
20, 2004). 
 
23. Indian and Pakistan agree to establish a communication 
link between Indian Coast Guard Authorities and Pakistan 
Maritime Security Agency.  Draft MoU's exchanged (4 
September, 2004). Meeting to take place in Dec 2004 to, inter 
alia, discuss the draft. 
 
24. To work towards an Agreement on pre-notification of 
flight testing of missiles (Draft handed over by India)(June 
20, 2004).  Meeting of Experts to discuss the MoU to take 
place in Dec 2004. 
 
25. To work towards an MoU between the Narcotics Control 
authorities of the two countries, to enhance cooperation to 
fight the menace of Drug Trafficking. (August 11, 2004). 
Technical meeting likely to take place in Nov 2004. 
 
26. Enhanced interaction between Foreign Offices, including 
through exchange of study tours of young 
diplomats/probationers (agreed on September 8, 2004) 
 
27. Establishment of Committee of Experts to consider issues 
related to trade (agreed on September 8, 2004).  Technical 
meeting likely to take place in December 2004. 
 
28. Joint Survey of the boundary pillars in the horizontal 
segment (blue dotted line) of the international boundary in 
the Sir Creek area (agreed on 8 September 2004).  A technical 
meeting to take place in December 2004. 
 
Meetings & Visits 
 
29. Prime Minister of India visited Islamabad on January 4-6, 
2004, for the 12th SAARC Summit.  He met President Musharraf 
and Pakistan Prime Minister on the margins of the SAARC 
Summit.  January 6, 2004 Joint Press Statement Issued after 
his meeting with President Musharraf. 
 
30. Joint Secretaries and Foreign Secretaries of India and 
Pakistan met in Islamambad on February 16-18, 2004 to 
commence the process of the Composite Dialogue.  Joint 
Statement of February 18, 2004 elaborated upon the agreed 
schedule of meetings under the Composite Dialogue. 
 
31.  Technical level meeting was held in Islamabad for 
commencing a bus service between Munabao in Rajasthan and 
Khokhrapar in Sindh on March 9-10, 2004. 
 
32. A meeting between Inspector General Border Security Force 
and Director General Pakistan Rangers was held in Lahore 
March 24-27, 2004 to discuss issues relating to drug 
trafficking and smuggling of contraband, illegal crossings, 
maintenance and repair of boundary pillars, etc. 
 
33. A meeting of the Committee on Drug Trafficking and 
Smuggling was held in Islamabad on June 15-16, 2004 between 
delegations led by DG, Narcotics Control Bureau from our side 
and Secretary, Ministry of Narcotics from the Pakistan side. 
Both sides reviewed existing drug situation in the region and 
agreed to share operational intelligence to eliminate the 
menace of drugs from the region. 
 
34. Expert Level Dialogue on Nuclear CBMs was held in New 
Delhi - June 19-20, 2004. 
 
35. At Pakistan's request, a meeting at the level of 
Secretary (Water Resources) was held in New Delhi on June 
 
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21-22, 2004 to discuss Pakistan's objections to the Baglihar 
Hydroelectric Project in J&K. 
 
36. The Foreign Secretaries of the two countries met in New 
Delhi on June 27-28, 2004, within the framework of the 
Composite Dialogue.  They discussed "Peace and Security 
including CBMs" and "Jammu and Kashmir". 
 
37. EAM visited Islamabad from July 19-23, 2004 for the SAARC 
Ministerial Council Meeting.  On the margins of the SAARC 
meeting, he held discussions with his Pakistani counterpart, 
and called on the President and the Prime Minister of 
Pakistan.  Earlier, the two Ministers met in Qingdao on June 
21, 2004 and in Jakarta on July 2, 2004. 
 
38. On July 28-29, 2004, Secretary, Water Resources, held 
discussion on Tulbul Navigation Project under the Composite 
Dialogue. 
 
39. On August 3-4, 2004, discussions, at the level of 
Secretary (Culture) were held in New Delhi on Promotion of 
 
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Friendly Exchanges in Various Fields under the Composite 
Dialogue. 
 
40. On August 5-6, 2004, the Defence Secretaries of the two 
countries met in New Delhi for discussions on the Siachen 
issue within the framework of the Composite Dialogue. 
 
41. Views were exchanged between the two sides on the Sir 
Creek issue on Aug 6-7, 2004 in New Delhi. 
 
42. Discussions on "Terrorism and Drug Trafficking", at the 
level of Home Secretaries, were held on August 10-11, 2004 in 
Islamabad as part of the Composite Dialogue. 
 
43. Talks between the Commerce Secretaries on the subject of 
"Economic and Commercial Cooperation" were held in Islamabad 
on August 11-12, 2004 as part of the Composite Dialogue. 
44. Pakistan Foreign Minister, Khurshid M. Kasuri, visited 
New Delhi from September 4-8, 2004 to review overall progress 
in the Composite Dialogue.  It was preceded by a meeting 
between the Foreign Secretaries of the two countries on 
September 4, 2004. 
 
45. Meeting between Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and 
President Musharraf on the margins of UNGA meeting on 
September 24, 2004.  Joint Statement reiterating the 
commitment to continue the bilateral dialogue to restore 
normalcy and cooperation between the two countries, and to 
implement CBMs, issued after the meeting. 
 
46. Biannual meeting between Indian Border Security Force 
(BSF) and Pakistan Rangers from October 11-14, 2004 at 
Chandigarh. 
 
Future Meetings and Visits 
47. Expert level meetings on Conventional and Nuclear CBMs, 
inter alia, to discuss the draft agreement on advance 
notification of missile tests. (December 14-15 & 15-16, 2004 
in Islamabad) 
 
48. Meeting between railway authorities on the Munnabao - 
Khokrapar rail link. (December 2-3, 2004 in Islamabad) 
 
49. Meeting between Narcotics Control Authorities, including 
for finalisation of an MOU (November 29-30, 2004, New Delhi) 
 
50. Meeting between the Indian Coast Guards and the Pakistan 
Maritime Security Agency to, inter alia, discuss the 
Memorandum of Understanding for establishing communication 
link between them (December 3-4, 2004 in New Delhi) 
 
51. Meeting on all issues related to commencement of a bus 
service between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad (December 7-8, 2004 
in New Delhi) 
 
52. Technical level meeting for starting a bus service on 
specific occasions between Amritsar and religious places in 
and around Lahore, such as Nankana Sahib. 
 
53. The Ministers of Petroleum/Gas could meet to discuss the 
issue of availability and access to energy resources in the 
region around South Asia in its multifarious dimensions. 
 
54. Visit of Prime Minister of Pakistan in November 2004 as 
the Chairperson of SAARC. 
 
55. Meeting between the Foreign Secretaries in December 2004 
to initiate the next round of the Composite Dialogue. 
 
56. Meeting between the Prime Ministers of the two countries 
on the margins of the SAARC Summit in Dhaka in January 2005. 
End GOI Text. 
BLAKE