Indo-Pak PMs to continue ongoing discussions

New Delhi, Apr 4: In a significant move to promote bilateral trade, Pakistan today expressed readiness to export cement to India and the two countries also agreed to continue ongoing discussions on the Iran-Pakistan-India (IPI) gas pipeline project.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz called on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh here this morning and discussed a wide range of bilateral issues including trade, energy, banking and air connectivity, an official spokesman said.

Sources said the entire gamut of bilateral relations, including the ongoing peace process, Kashmir issue and terrorism were discussed.

The meeting, on the sidelines of the 14th SAARC Summit of Heads of State/Government, took place at the Prime Minister's residence at 7, Race Course Road here.

The spokesman said Mr Aziz assured Dr. Singh that Pakistan would take early action to return fishing boats seized from Indian fishermen to their owners.

They also agreed to increase air connectivity between the two countries and also review the status of each other's citizens held prisoners in the two countries.

''Mr. Aziz said Paksitan is ready to export cement to India taking advantage of the duty reduction announced by the Government,'' the spokesman said.

Prime Minister Singh had in his inaugural address at the 14th SAARC Summit yesterday, announced duty reduction for goods from neighbouring countries.

Mr. Aziz also informed the Prime Minister that Pakistan was issuing more visas to Sikh pilgrims coming from across the world to visit Sikh shrines in Pakistan.

He also complimented Dr Singh for the successful and efficient conduct of the SAARC summit and expressed satisfaction at the content of the discussions.

He thanked the Indian Prime Minister for the assistance to Pakistan after the Samjhauta train blasts.

The sources said the two leaders reviewed the progress in the ongoing dialogue process and noted that the Defence Secretaries of the two countries would meet in Islamabad later this week to discuss Siachen and Sir Creek issues.

Dr Singh was assisted by National Security Adviser (NSA) M K Narayanan, Mr T K A Nair, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, and Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon.

The Pakistani Premier's delegation included Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri, Foreign Secretary Riaz Mohammed Khan and Pakistan High Commissioner to India Shahid Malik.

Ahead of his meeting with Dr Singh, Mr Aziz had yesterday stated that the goal of peace and prosperity in South Asia could not be realised without a durable solution to the Kashmir issue.

UNI

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