Indo-Pak talks may see progress on 26/11

Resolution of the Sir Creek issue and bringing Pakistan handlers of Mumbai terror attack to justice could be the positive outcomes of the third round of Indo-Pak talks, say sources closely working for the resumed dialogue.

Resolution of the Sir Creek issue and bringing Pakistan handlers of Mumbai terror attack to justice could be the positive outcomes of the third round of Indo-Pak talks, say sources closely working for the resumed dialogue.

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While taking stock of the dialogue process, external affairs minister SM Krishna and his Pakistan counterpart Hina Rabbani Khar will chart out the course of the third round of the talks. Krishna will be in Pakistan from September 7 to 9.

Sir Creek is seen as a more easily solvable core issue. But any definite progress in the Mumbai terror attack case can provide a “right atmosphere” for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during his visit to Pakistan, sources say.

The new visa agreement and progress in trade ties are seen as the positive outcomes of second round of the dialogue. And the third round is expected to be more result-oriented though officials say they prefer to remain “cautiously optimistic”.

New Delhi hopes that Pakistan will take more efforts to address its concerns on terrorism such as bringing the Mumbai attack handlers to justice, which will help the “eventual normalisation of the ties.”