In a surprising development, the foreign secretaries decided to jointly address a news conference after first announcing separate briefings. The news conference was in addition to a joint statement and, according to Indian officials, a signal that the usually squabbling countries can face the world together.
There were no declarations regarding ‘historic agreements’, ‘new paths’ or ‘renewed understanding’. The foreign secretaries, according to MEA Spokesperson Vishu Prakash had, “very cordial discussions, substantive talks and forward-looking”. No breakthrough agreements were expected as the meeting was merely a preparatory phase for the upcoming visit of Pakistani Foreign Minister to India in July. However, ‘miscommunication’ and ‘quoting out of context’ are the common spoilers for any India-Pakistan interaction. It was pleasantly surprising that neither the diplomats nor the media contributed any rhetorical negativity to the atmosphere.
A working group is expected to meet next month to work on specific cross-Line of Control (LOC) CBMs. The group will look at the demand for more trading days, additional routes, reducing red tape, and specifying the 21 items of trade to ensure that only goods made in Jammu and Kashmir are traded.