Will they, won't they? Ambiguity persists over Manmohan-Gilani meeting

Islamabad, Apr.27 (ANI): Ambiguity still persists over the meeting between Prime Minister Dr.Manmohan Singh with his Pakistani counterpart Yousuf Raza Gilani, with the latter saying that no meeting has been planned on the sidelines of the 16th South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Summit to be held in Thimphu on April 28 and 29.

Talking to reporters before leaving for Thimpu, Gilani said no meeting has been planned with any state of head, who would be participating in the two-day summit.

He, however, added that he might meet several world leaders during his Bhutan stay.

On Monday, External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna, who is currently in Thimpu for the the SAARC ministerial meeting, had said that a bilateral meeting between the Prime Ministers could not be ruled out, adding that all issues would be discussed if both leaders met.

"I am not ruling it out," was Krishna's reply when asked if a meeting would take place.

"Let's wait and watch, how things are going to work out. All bilateral issues between India and Pakistan will be discussed as and when the Prime Ministers meet," Krishna said.

Apart of India and Pakistan, head of states from countries like Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka would be attending the summit.

Representatives from the observer states would also be participating in the summit, The Nation reports. (ANI)