Pak Foreign Minister reveals his liking for 'patient' Manmohan Singh

Islamabad, Sep.12 (ANI): Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has a special liking for Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, as the latter gave him a patient hearing when the two leaders had met days before the Mumbai terror attacks.

Qureshi revealed that he was impressed by Singh's gesture during the talks.

"The meeting left me very impressed. I spoke at length on the water issue and how it was becoming a new dispute between the two countries. Mr. Manmohan Singh gave me a very patient hearing. I still remember his words, 'Foreign minister, I am so happy to meet a young politician who is also so far-sighted," Qureshi told The News.

When enquired about the then Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Qureshi said he found the senior leader's response during his talks with him in May 2008 very 'positive'

"I proposed a more liberal regime where certain categories like journalists, lawyers, businessmen and academicians would not need visas. We could start exchanging newspapers, magazines and films. Mukherjee appeared positive," Qureshi said.

When asked how did he feel about the furor created over former Foreign Minister Jaswant Singh's book 'Jinnah: India, Partition, Independence', Qureshi said it was 'emotional' as well as 'shocking' to see such a response from Indian political leaders. (ANI)