India-Pak agree to give 'political impetus' to dialogue process

Islamabad, Jan 13 (UNI) India and Pakistan today decided to give ''political impetus'' to efforts for carrying forward the Composite Dialogue Process (CDP) and resolving all outstanding issues including ''difficult ones'' like Jammu and Kashmir and terrorism.

The decisions were taken at a 70-minute meeting between External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf here today.

All issues including ''difficult ones'' like settlement of outstanding matters, terrorism, Jammu and Kashmir and how to move the relationship forward, were discussed at the meeting which lasted 70 minutes.

It was decided to give ''political impetus'' to the discussions and carry forward the relationship from this point, External Affairs Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna told reporters while briefing on the meeting.

Progress was reviewed on many issues on which progress needed to be made, Mr Sarna added.

The External Affairs Minister, who arrived here on a two-day visit for talks with Pakistani leaders, is carrying an invitation for Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz to attend the 14th SAARC Summit to be held in New Delhi on April 3-4.

He was received at the Chaklala Airbase by Pakistan Foreign Secretary Riaz Mohammed Khan, Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan Satyabrata Paul and other senior officials of both governments.

On arrival...Eds here pick up from line one, para one of DF 18, EXTERNAL-THIRD LEAD INDIA PAKISTAN-TWO ISLAMABAD.

UNI