'New democracy of great promise'

Wed, May 21 01:25 AM

India invoked the memory and legacy of Benazir Bhutto on Tuesday to re-emphasise the need for Pakistan to combat terrorism and keep the composite dialogue process between the two countries on track. India and Pakistan must work together to combat the terror menace, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said on arrival here even as Foreign Secretaries of the two countries reviewed the status of their composite dialogue.

"Her (Benazir Bhutto's) loss is still a fresh wound. Not just Pakistan, but the entire region has lost a charismatic leader of great foresight and capability and #8230;" Mukherjee stated.

A joint battle against terrorism would be a fitting tribute to Benazir Bhutto's memory and legacy, he felt. Soon after meeting PML (N) leader Nawaz Sharif, Mukherjee remarked that he would not like to compare the previous and current governments in Pakistan, saying that India dealt with the incumbent government.

"My present visit to Pakistan comes amidst a new democratic environment of great promise. The present environment, I am sure, will help us in addressing various issues relating to peace, stability and economic development," the Minister stressed in a statement.

Mukherjee, who meets Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani and President Pervez Musharraf on Wednesday, said India approached the fifth round of the composite dialogue in a spirit of cooperation, trust and pragmatism. "This is predicated on an atmosphere free from terrorism, violence and the threat of it," the statement said, referring to the historic January 2004 agreement in which Pakistan pledged not to allow the use of its territory by terrorists.

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