Gilani endorses Manmohan Singh’s view, says talks only way forward

July 30th, 2009 - 1:16 pm ICT by ANI  

Manmohan Singh Islamabad, July 30 (ANI): Commending his Indian counterpart Dr. Manmohan Singh’s ‘bold vision’ for peace and stability for the region, Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said both he and Dr. Singh agreed that dialogue is the only way forward to resolve long pending issues between both countries.

Reciprocating Dr. Singh’s views on Wednesday, Gilani said he shared similar sentiments for peace as expressed by Dr.Singh.

“We (at Sharm el- Sheikh) had useful talks and a good meeting of minds. We had agreed that terrorism was a common threat. We also agreed that dialogue was the only way forward,” The News quoted Gilani, as saying.

“The Indian Prime Minister has rightly emphasised the importance of honourable settlement of the outstanding issues between India and Pakistan,” he added.

During his address, Dr. Singh emphasized on the need of direct Indo-Pak dialogue without involving any third nation.

“Unless we talk directly to Pakistan, we will have to depend on third parties. That has severe limitations and involvement of foreign powers in South Asia is not to our liking,” he said.

Responding to the allegations and questions raised by the Opposition, Dr. Singh dispelled reports that Pakistan has handed over any dossier on Balochistan to India.

That is our position and we have not diluted it, he insisted. We can truly live in peace if the government of Pakistan follows its commitments in letter and spirit.

“Gilani brought up the subject of many Indian consulates in Afghanistan and I told him we have been there since 60 years and this is not a recent happening. We are therefore willing to discuss everything because India does not have anything to hide,” Dr.Singh said. (ANI)

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