Indian Foreign Minister SM Krishna arrived in Pakistan Friday for talks on efforts aimed at normalizing relations between the two countries, dpa cited state-run Pakistan television as reporting. During a three-day visit, Krishna will meet with his counterpart Hina Rabbani Khar on September 8, and later they will co-chair a meeting of the India-Pakistan Joint Commission to increase cooperation, a Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesman said. The two sides revived talks in 2011 after India cancelled a more than 5-year-old peace dialogue after the 2008 Mumbai terror attack. Diplomats said that the two sides would review the peace process and discuss issues like terrorism, Kashmir, trade and a possible agreement on visa liberalization. These talks are to be preceded by a meeting of the foreign secretaries of Pakistan and India on Friday to finalize the agenda of talks between the foreign ministers. Other issues likely to figure are confidence-building measures, the release of prisoners as well as trade and border issues. "India is of the view that normalization of relations between India and Pakistan should be a step-by-step process. My visit to Pakistan is one more step in that direction and approach," Krishna said at a press briefing this week. Krishna, who last visited Pakistan in July 2011, is also expected to meet Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf and President Asif Ali Zardari. He will spend a few hours in Lahore Sunday on the way back when he is expected to meet political, business and civil society leaders.
