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PA/10/2003 8 May 2003
Australia welcomes positive trend in India-Pakistan relations
The following is a statement issued in Canberra yesterday by the Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr Alexander Downer:
I welcome the news that India and Pakistan are to resume full diplomatic relations and restore air links. This is the latest in a series of moves by the two countries, beginning with Prime Minister Vajpayee's speech in Srinagar on 18 April, which has eased the state of tension between them.
The leaders of both countries are to be applauded for their courage in initiating and fostering this positive trend. I hope that the Indian and Pakistan governments will now take further, concrete steps to broaden and strengthen their bilateral engagement, to rebuild mutual confidence and to create an environment in which the more difficult issues in their relationship can be addressed.