April 19, 2005

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

On India-Pakistan Joint Statement

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) welcomes the joint statement issued by the Indian Prime Minister and the Pakistani President.  This statement has come at the conclusion of an important visit  by President Musharraf  to India.

The outcome of the visit will give a further fillip to improving  relations between the two countries and taking forward the bilateral dialogue.  This reflects the aspirations of the people of both countries.  The people-to-people contacts and confidence building measures have met with an enthusiastic response as witnessed during the inaugural bus service between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad.

It is good that both leaders have expressed their belief  that the  peace process is now irreversible and affirmed that they would not allow terrorism to impede the peace process.

The joint statement has also reiterated the commitment of both sides to continue the discussions on Jammu & Kashmir, so that a final settlement can be reached.

While welcoming the  steps announced to open new bus routes, rail links and the setting up of a joint business council, the Polit Bureau  wishes to stress that a solution must be found to the standoff in Siachen glacier  which is taking a heavy toll of lives and resources of both the countries.

The CPI(M) wishes to emphasise that peace and all-round relations between the two countries will bring about a qualitative transformation in South Asia and help both countries to concentrate on development and improving the living conditions of their peoples.