PM told Zardari about need to curb terror: Krishna

New Delhi, Apr 25: Prime Minister

has made it clear to President

that firm action needed to be taken against anti-India terrorism emanating from Pakistan to allow forward movement in the bilateral relationship, Parliament was informed on Wednesday.

Making a suo motu statement in the Lok Sabha on Zardari's visit and his meeting with Singh here on April 8, External Affairs Minister SM Krishna said that it was underlined that India's concerns on terrorism had to be addressed if the people of the country are to support and sustain progress in bilateral relations.

In this context, Singh referred to public activities of Lashkar-e-Toiba founder Hafiz Saeed and Zardari said the matter needed to be discussed further, Krishna said.

He told the House that, during the meeting, Zardari invited the Prime Minister to visit Pakistan which was accepted with "pleasure" and that diplomatic channels would be used to work out mutually-acceptable dates and substantive preparations for that visit.

Giving details of the 40-minute meeting between the two leaders on April 8, Krishna said both felt that "we need to move forward step-by-step and find pragmatic and mutually- acceptable solutions" to issues like Sir Creek, Siachen and Kashmir.

They noted that there has been a steady progress in bilateral dialogue process which resumed last year and that it will continue as planned in the months to come, he said.

Singh and Zardari discussed the subject of terrorism and the Prime Minister told the Pakistan President that "there is a need to take firm action to curb terrorism to enable us to make forward movement in the bilateral relationship," Krishna said.

PTI