PM says he is committed to sustaining dialogue with Pakistan

On Board Air India One, Jan 15 (UNI) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said it would be his endeavour to sustain the momentum in the composite dialogue process between India and Pakistan.

Talking to journalists who accompanied him on his visit to Cebu in the Philippines for the ASEAN Summit and the East Asia Summit, Dr Singh said he would on his return to New Delhi get a detailed briefing from External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee on the latter's two-day visit to Pakistan on January 13-14.

"When I go back to New Delhi, I will talk to Mr Mukherjee who has just returned from a useful and successful visit from Pakistan,' he said.

The Prime Minister said India's relations with Pakistan must be seen in a holistic manner. "We have had several rounds in which Siachen, Sir Creek and other issues have figured. We are making progress but it will be premature for me to say that we have reached a stage where we can say an agreement will be reached," he added.

He said it would be his effort to sustain the momentum in the dialogue process.

UNI