Meeting between India, Pak PMs was an exercise in mutual comprehension: Rao

Thimphu (Bhutan), Apr.29 (ANI): Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao on Thursday said that the 50-minute meeting between Prime Ministers Dr. Manmohan Singh and Mr. Yousuf Raza Gilani was an exercise in "mutual comprehension".

Addressing a press conference on the sidelines of the XVIth SAARC Summit after the two leaders had met, Rao said it has been decided that talks will continue to take place at the Foreign Ministers and Foreign Secretaries level, and modalities of restoring trust and confidence would be worked upon.Asked whether this should be seen as a signal for a resumption of the suspended composite dialogue, Rao said: "I don't think we have to get stuck with nomenclature here. I think what you have to focus on is the fact that both sides have agreed that dialogue is the only way forward; that it is essential to open the channel of communication; that there is a need to restore trust and build mutual confidence and we should discuss all issues of mutual concern."

"The meeting was seen exercise in mutual comprehension as both countries believe that there is lack of trust, and, both sides have agreed on the need to asses the reasons underlying the current state of relations and to think afresh on the way forward," Rao added.

Rao also said that no dates for the meetings have been fixed so far.

"The focus is on charting the course forward; that definitely is the message from the meeting. The search light is on; future not past, literal interpretation cannot help this relationship," she added.

She said that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh told Prime Minister Gilani that India is willing to discuss all issues of concern with Pakistan and to resolve all outstanding> issues through dialogue. By Naveen Kapoor (ANI)