MUSCAT, 27 December 2004 — Indian Minister for External Affairs Natwar Singh concluded his visit yesterday by signing an extradition treaty with his Omani counterpart Yusuf ibn Alawi ibn Abdullah.
“The treaty concerns the extradition of convicted and accused persons,” said a statement issued by the Indian Embassy.
The statement said Natwar’s visit would strengthen the close relations between India and Oman.
Natwar earlier held talks with Alawi and exchanged views on a number of international and regional issues.
Addressing members of the Indian community on Saturday, Natwar said: There are no “quick fix” solutions to India and Pakistan’s problems but the emphasis is on reconciliation and finding a common ground.
“For the first time, the Pakistani side is saying that we would like to discuss Kashmir plus (other issues),” the Times of Oman quoted Natwar as telling the Indian community in the sultanate.
He told a packed audience at the India House Saturday evening that not only was there a ray of hope that unresolved matters would be resolved, but also that the overall relations between the two countries would be improved.
“Previously, it was only Kashmir and nothing else, so progress is being made and there is a change in the thinking of the ruling establishment in Pakistan in this regard, which is most welcome.”
“Some are of the opinion that this can be achieved very quickly, but there are no quick-fix solutions.
“There are problems, which can be solved easily and there are some that need efforts. But, there are one or two issues, which are very complex and Kashmir is one of them. But, if our relations improve on all other fronts, then possibly when the people from both sides get involved in economic welfare, trade, communication and IT, political issues may also be resolved.
“Realistically speaking both countries are now seriously engaged in a composite dialogue and looking forward to establishing better relations.
“And if that happens, it is good for all of us,” he told the members of the Indian community. Indian Ambassador-Designate Ashok K. Attri was also present at the meeting.
“We are planning to open our consulate general in Karachi and from Pakistan’s side, in Bombay. Plans are afoot to ease the visa regime and many other confidence-building measures are under way.”
Both countries, which have fought two of their three wars over Kashmir since their independence from the British in 1947, are now involved in “composite dialogue” and “looking forward to establishing better relations,” the minister said.
“We are hoping that the bus service between Srinagar (summer capital of Indian Kashmir) and Muzaffarabad (in the Pakistani-controlled zone of the divided Himalayan region) will start soon,” Natwar said.
Oman has also supported the ongoing Pakistan-India dialogue, hoping it would continue in the larger interest of South Asia. Oman has also voiced its support for India’s bid to become a permanent member of the UN Security Council.
Although Natwar was unable to put a timeframe for the resolution of the Kashmir issue, he told the gathering that it was not a “100-meter race.”
“It will tame as it is a complex issue,” he added.
