Indo-Pak NSAs to meet on Oct 13

New Delhi, Oct 12: M K Narayanan, Indian National Security Adviser will meet his Pakistani counterpart Mahmud Ali Durrani here on Monday, Oct 13. Issues like the spate of recent ceasefire violations, rise in cross border infiltration and Indian Embassy bombing in Kabul are likely to figure in the bilateral discussions between Durrani and Narayanan.

Durrani during his deliberations with the NSA and Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon is also expected to prepare ground for the special meeting of 'Joint Anti terror Mechanism'. The joint decision of calling this meeting was taken by Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari at New York in September.

During his visit, Durrani is likely to call on Manmohan Singh, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee and BJP president Rajnath Singh.

Durrani arrived here on Saturday, Oct 11 on a five-day visit with an agenda focused on promoting friendship between the two countries.

Durrani, who shares a very good rapport with top Indian officials, after his arrival said that his aim in coming to New Delhi was to strengthen the bonds of friendship between India and Pakistan.

The foreign secretaries of the two countries are also to meet in Islamabad for the fifth round of the composite dialogue.

Durani who is handpicked by the newly elected democratic government of Pakistan was ambassador to the United States during the Musharraf's regime.

His visit assumes significance as it is coming in the backdrop of deadly terror strikes in both the countries.

ANI