§ 12. Mr. Gareth R. Thomas (Harrow, West)What plans he has to visit Pakistan to discuss regional security; and if he will make a statement. [31903]
§ The Secretary of State for DefenceI visited Pakistan on 5 and 6 February. During my visit I had meetings with President Musharraf and senior figures in the Ministry of Defence.
I took the opportunity to thank President Musharraf for Pakistan's support for the coalition against international terrorism and for the international security assistance force in Kabul, as well as his public commitment to restoring democracy in Pakistan. I made the point that those positive developments have helped to strengthen the relations between our two countries and that, as part of that, we were taking appropriate steps to restore our defence relationship. I also underlined our anxieties over the current tensions between Pakistan and India. We are urging both sides to exercise restraint and to engage in dialogue.
§ Mr. ThomasI am grateful for that reply. A significant number of my constituents have family and friends in Pakistan and India. They are deeply concerned about the rise in tension between those two states, and they look to Britain to continue to help and for measures to reduce the tension. Did my right hon. Friend receive specific assurances on his visit to Pakistan that there would be an attempt to resolve the differences between India and Pakistan by negotiation rather than by other means? Will he also tell hon. Members whether he envisages a bilateral defence arrangement, which would help to reduce tensions between the two nations?
§ Mr. HoonI was left in no doubt of Pakistan's recognition of the need to take action against terrorist organisations operating from its territory. We welcome President Musharraf's speech of 12 January, and the action that he has taken since. We have long called for an end to externally supported terrorism in Kashmir, and we are doing all we can to see the job completed. Meanwhile, we have urged both countries to continue to give time for the diplomatic route to work. As friends of both India and Pakistan, we will continue to urge them to persevere with dialogue and address all issues outstanding between them. It is clear that violence and terrorism will not bring a solution in Kashmir, but I am grateful for my hon. Friend's recognition that defence relations may help to do so.
There will be a meeting of the defence co-operation forum in London on 5 and 6 March. That high-level meeting of officials is co-chaired by the Ministry of Defence's permanent secretary, and his equivalent from Pakistan. It reflects a similar defence consultative group in India that is chaired by the Ministry of Defence's permanent secretary and his Indian equivalent, which will meet in New Delhi on 25 and 26 February.
§ Mr. Andrew Robathan (Blaby)There used to be close links between the British and the Pakistani armed forces, including exchanges between staff colleges. I understand that those links were stopped after the Pakistani nuclear tests. Have those links been reinstated, 18 or are there plans to do so? What further assistance can British troops and training teams give to the Pakistanis in their fight against international terrorism?
§ Mr. HoonI anticipate that the meeting of the defence co-operation forum will lead to a framework for co-operation and contacts involving all three armed services. In addition, further contacts will include ships and other military visits, Pakistani access to United Kingdom military training opportunities, participation in bilateral exercises and visits by senior military and civilian defence officials.