Qureshi not hopeful about talks with India

Multan, Sep 14 (ANI): Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said that he did not expect to achieve anything greater than "incremental progress" during his talks with his Indian counterpart SM Krishna in New York.

Pakistan will adopt a clear stance on all outstanding issues, Qureshi told reporters on Sunday.

Replying to a question on alleged Indian attempts to pressure Pakistan through the US, Qureshi categorically denied there would be any compromise on national interest.

He said the Indian High Commissioner had been summoned to reject India's protest over Bunji dam and the Gilgit-Baltistan initiative within half an hour of its announcement.

The Daily Times quoted him as saying that the meeting between the US and Pakistan should yield positive results.

Qureshi said tensions between India and Pakistan could only improve if there is a positive response from the Indian side.

He said the Mumbai tragedy was condemnable, adding it was time to move forward. He said Pakistan was studying the Indian dossier and would send its response to India within a week.

The foreign minister lauded the armed forces of Pakistan for their successful operation against terrorism, adding Islamabad had a long-term strategy for lasting regional peace.

He said he had held two inter-ministerial meetings and taken Kashmiri representatives from both sides of the border into confidence ahead of the expected talks with the Indian External Affairs Minister. (ANI)