Manmohan, Zardari shake hands, begin talks
April 8th, 2012 - 2:42 pm ICT by IANS
New Delhi, April 8 (IANS) On a Sunday afternoon, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari shook hands warmly and smiled before the cameras as they began talks that are expected to infuse a new life into bilateral ties.
The talks, which are being held at the prime minister’s 7 Race Course Road official residence, are expected to last for close to an hour, government sources said.
The two leaders are expected to discuss all issues with focus on trade and confidence-building measures.
On his maiden visit to India, Zardari touched down here just past noon in his special aircraft on a private visit to offer prayers at the revered sufi shrine of Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti in Ajmer. The visit has acquired the shape of high-wire diplomacy, with the two leaders holding one-on-one talks before their large delegations met.
Zardari is accompanied by around 40-member delegation that includes his son Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Interior Minister Rehman Malik, Foreign Secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani, presidential spokesperson Farhatullah Babar and close members of the family.
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