India, Pak PMs likely to meet in Colombo

New Delhi, Jul 31: Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is likely to meet his Pakistani counterpart Yousaf Raza Gilani on the sidelines of the 15th SAARC Summit in Colombo against the backdrop of a spurt in terrorist activities against Indian installations and infiltration across the Line of Control.

This will be the first meeting between the two Prime Ministers after the formation of a democratically-elected government in Islamabad. However, an External Affairs Ministry spokesman said nothing had been decided yet and and the Heads of State/ Government would be looking for mutually-convenient dates.

External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee will also have a meeting with Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on the sidelines of the Summit.

The meetings, being held in the backdrop of the terrorist bombings in Bangalore and Ahmedabad and the fidayeen attack on the Indian embassy in Kabul, are likely to be dominated by the issues of security and terrorism.

The meetings will also follow the ceasefire violation by Pakistani soldiers in Kashmir on Wednesday, July 30 resulting in an exchange of fire between Indian and Pakistani troops.

The sources said India will convey to Pakistan in no uncertain terms to rein in terrorist elements, who operate from Pakistani soil.

India has repeatedly asked Pakistan to abide by its January 2004 commitment of not allowing its territory to be used for any anti-India activity.

On Monday, July 28, around 15 Pakistani soldiers had crossed over to the Indian side in the Nowgam Sector of Jammu and Kashmir in violation of the 2003 ceasefire announced by the two neighbours.

Pakistani troops again fired at Indian forces at the Nariya Post in Jammu and Kashmir's Kupwara Sector on Wednesday, July 30 violating the ceasefire agreed between the two countries along the Line of Control (LoC).

UNI