Indo-Pak talks: Political parties, separatists welcome outcome

Ruling National Conference, opposition Peoples Democratic Party and separatists were on the same page on Wednesday when they welcomed the Indo-Pak Foreign Ministers meeting and the announcement of Kashmir-centric confidence building measures to ease trade and travel across the LoC.

Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) also welcomed CBMs on cross-Line of Control (LoC) trade, but said the trading community expected more including launching of trade through banking channel.

Immediately after a joint statement was released in New Delhi announcing increase in days of trading from two to four and other CBM on cross-LoC trade and travel, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah termed them as a "good step".

External Affairs Minister SM Krishna and his Pakistani counterpart Hina Rabbani Khar announced additional CBMs related to Kashmir, including increasing cross-LoC trading days and expanding travel to include tourism and religious aspects.

The two Ministers also held discussions on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir and agreed to the need for continued discussions, in a purposeful and forward looking manner, with a view to finding a peaceful solution by narrowing divergences and building convergences.

Welcoming the resolve to continue talks on Kashmir, moderate Hurriyat Conference said talks have to be a continuous process and Kashmiris should be included to make it fruitful.

"It is a welcome sign that New Delhi and Islamabad have reiterated their resolve to continue the dialogue," its Chairman Mirwaiz Umer Farooq said.