ISI chief has been involved in Indo-Pak discussions: PM

On Board from Italy, July 11(ANI): Prime Minister Manmohan Singh revealed on Saturday that representatives of the two countries including the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief had been involved in discussions recently.

Ahead of the meeting with Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani in Egypt next week, Dr.Singh said that since his meet with Pak President Asif Ali Zardari in Russia last month "there have been discussions between the High Commissioners and with the ISI chief and the Foreign Office."

Though Dr. Singh didn't give any indication of who represented the Indian side in the discussion involving the ISI chief Shuja Pasha but he informed that "they (Pakistani side) have given some suggestions ....some information on what they are doing about punishing those behind the Mumbai massacre."

"Now we hope they would take some steps in that direction (punishing the perpetrators) and with this hope I will meet Gilani." Dr. Singh told media persons on board his special plane while returning home from Italy.

Singh also said that he had no intentions to hurt Zardari's feelings in any way by telling him in full presence of media that "my mandate is limited to telling you that the territory of Pakistan must not be allowed to be used for terrorism against India."

Dr. Singh said that he simply forgot that media was also present at that moment during both the leaders meet in Yekaterinburg. (ANI)