Signalling a positive outcome, the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, and the Pakistan President, Mr Asif Ali Zardari, today said the two countries are willing to find “practical, pragmatic” solutions to a “number of issues” affecting the bilateral relationship.
Emerging after a 30-minute one-on-one meeting, both Dr Singh and Mr Zardari gave press statements where they expressed “satisfaction” over their deliberations.
“President Zardari and I had constructive and friendly exchanges of views on bilateral issues which affects relationship between India and Pakistan,” Dr Singh said.
After landing here at 12.10 p.m. at Palam Air Force Base (technical area) along with his son Bilawal Bhutto, Mr Zardari drove straight to Dr Singh’s official Race Course Road residence.
Mr Zardari, who had expressed his desire to come on a “private visit” to go to Ajmer to pay obeisance at the shrine of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, was invited by Dr Singh to join him for lunch. The invitation was accepted by Mr Zardari.
“I have taken advantage of this visit to discuss with him all bilateral issues and I am very satisfied with the outcome of this visit,” the Prime Minister said while admitting that there were number of issues between the two countries.
“We have a number of issues and we are willing to find practical and pragmatic solutions to all those issues and that is the message President Zardari and I would wish to convey,” Dr Singh said.
We have had “very fruitful” bilateral talks, said Mr Zardari, who also hoped to meet the Indian leader on Pakistani soil very soon. The Pakistan President invited Dr Singh to visit his country.
“I would be very happy to visit Pakistan on a mutually convenient date,” Dr Singh said.