People's Democracy

India, Pakistan Peace Groups Urge

Peace Process Must Continue

A group of peace activists, legislators and politicians from India and Pakistan met in New Delhi on July 31 and urged the two governments to continue the peace process in spite of all the difficulties that may come in its way. They felt this alone would be in the best interests of both the countries and the people.

The group met at a dinner hosted by Mohd Yusuf Tarigami, CPI(M) J&K state secretary and MLA  at the J&K House. From Indian side those who attended were Sitaram Yechury, CPI(M) Polit Bureau member, Mohd Salim, CPI(M) deputy leader in Lok Sabha, Shameem Faizee, CPI secretariat member, Nirmala Deshpande, veteran Gandhian and Rajya Sabha MP, Praful Bidwai, peace activist.. From the Pakistan side those present were B N Kutty, secretary general of Pakistan Peace Coalition, Karamat Ali, Director of Karachi based Pak Institute of Labour, Education and Reasearch.

Both sides exchanged views on the ongoing peace process and dialogue between the two countries. Both sides expressed the desire that keeping in view the urge for peace among wider sections of people in both the countries, the two governments must take bold initiatives to put an end to uncertainties regarding the peace process.

Noting that the foreign ministers of the two countries are scheduled to meet this coming September 5, the group felt that further confidence building measures must be taken for making this meeting result oriented. (INN)