COLOMBO: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani and his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh had a meeting here on Saturday on the sidelines of the 15th SAARC Summit. During the meeting, which lasted for around 45 minutes and was held in a cordial atmosphere, the two leaders agreed to resolve all outstanding issues including Kashmir and to promote the environment of confidence building.
Prime Minister Gilani and Dr. Manmohan Singh exchanged views on various issues including Pakistan-India Composite Dialogue, bilateral relations, trade and security matters.
The maiden meeting between Prime Minister Gilani and Dr. Manmohan Singh is expected to push forward the on-going Composite Dialogue process between the two South Asian neighbors.
The meeting came amidst tension following Indian allegations against Pakistan that have been strongly refuted. The Pakistan-India peace process was set in motion around four years ago after a meeting between their leaders on the sidelines of the 12th summit of the regional countries in Islamabad in 2004.
Talking to reporters after meeting with his Indian counterpart Dr. Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister Gilani said Pakistan wants cordial relations with both its neighbors (India and Afghanistan) and that is why he met the Indian Prime minister today and will be meeting Karzai on Sunday.
Replying to a question, Prime Minister Gilani reiterated that Pakistan wants to resolve all issues including Kashmir by removing one another’s apprehensions.
About the firing across the Line of Control, he said the two countries have an understanding that there will be cease-fire on the LoC. But there have been some incidents “which we will look into.”
Answering a question regarding bomb blasts in Indian cities of Ahmedabad and Bangalore, Gilani said Manmohan Singh has told him that India has not blamed Pakistan for its involvement in these incidents.
Prime Minister Gilani said that he would take up the issue of Indian embassy bombing in Kabul in his meeting with Afghan President Karzai on Sunday and ask him to give proofs of Pakistan’s alleged involvement. He said the Afghan authorities had alleged Pakistan’s involvement in the attack within one hour of the blast.
“It is for the politicians to remove misunderstandings. It is for them to make bridges and not walls,” Prime Minister Gilani said. He said it was for the politicians to resolve any issues, which might come in the way of bilateral relations.
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