HC Deb 02 March 2004 vol 418 cc833-4W
Mr. Best

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his assessment is of the state of the relationship between India and Pakistan. [157018]

for each year from 1996–97 to 2005–06; and if he will make a statement. [156606]

Mr. Rammell

Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) expenditure on these programmes is shown in the following table:

Mr. Mike O'Brien

We warmly welcome the recent announcement by India and Pakistan that they have agreed an agenda and a timetable for substantive talks, due to begin after the Indian General Election. Following the breakthrough in relations announced by President Musharraf and Prime Minister Vajpayee at the start of January, this agreement demonstrates the commitment of both countries to address each other's concerns. We support both governments in their efforts, recognising that the talks will be the start of a long and difficult process and hope that they will, in due course, lead to the resolution of all their outstanding differences, including over Kashmir.