PM receives Gilani at Mohali cricket stadium

Mohali, Mar 30: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today received his Pakistan counterpart Yousuf Raza Gilani at the cricket stadium here where they will watch the Indo-Pak World Cup semi-final and hold bilateral talks.

Gilani was received outside the reception area of the Punjab Cricket Association stadium by Singh who was accompanied by ICC President Sharad Pawar, BCCI President Shashank Manohar and PCA chief I S Bindra.

Singh and Gilani exchanged a few words as they greeted each other.

After the national anthems of the two countries were played with players in attendance, the two Prime Ministers were introduced to the competing teams.

The leaders shook hands with the Pakistani players first and then with the Indian side and then waved to the cheering spectators.

Special cheers went up when the leaders shook hands with Sachin Tendulkar, who is at the threshold of another milestone 100th international century.

A number of dignitaries including Congress President Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar, Chief Ministers of Punjab and Haryana Parkash Singh Badal and Bhupinder Singh Hooda were among those present at the special galleries.

Actor Aamir Khan and his wife Kiran Rao were also seen.

PTI