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Manmohan takes up Hafiz Saeed's issue with Zardari | The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, discussed the problem of terrorism with Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari here on Sunday, and mentioned the activities of Hafiz Saeed in context of bringing the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks to justice. "The leaders discussed
the problem of terrorism, which is a major issue by which the Indian people will
judge progress in the bilateral relationship. PM told President Zardari that it
was imperative to bring the perpetrators of the Mumbai attack to justice and prevent
activities in against India from Pakistani soil," said Foreign Secretary Ranjan
Mathai after the meeting. "In this context PM also mentioned the activities of
Hafiz Saeed. President Zardari said the matter needed to be discussed further
between the two governments. It was noted that the Home Secretaries are due to
meet shortly and they would be discussing this further," he added. Lauding Zardari
for accepting Dr. Manmohan Singh's invitation during his personal visit to Ajmer
Sharif, Mathai said the two leaders spent about 40 minutes before lunch and they
had a friendly and constructive conversation covering all aspects of India , Pakistan
bilateral relations and regional and global issues of common interest. Mathai
further said both Indian Prime Minister and the visiting Pakistani President in
their discussions noted that there had been steady progress in the dialogue process,
which was restarted last year. "Dialogue process will continue as planned in the
months to come. PM expressed appreciation of the fact that Pakistan has moved
forward on trade related issues. Both leaders felt that we should tap into the
considerable potential of bilateral, economic and trade ties. The issue has been
discussed by the Commerce Ministers and Commerce Secretaries and there is a road
way forward, which has already been identified," he added. Mathai said President
Zardari mentioned the need for all issues including the issue of Sir Creek, Siachen
and the issue of Kashmir to be addressed. "Both felt that we need to move forward
step-by-step. The two leaders also discussed developments in the region and they
are determined to use the potential of regional cooperation for the economic development
of people of both countries," he added. Stating that it was evident from the conversation
both countries consider the dialogue process and the improvement of bilateral
relations as being in the mutual interest of the people of India and Pakistan
, Mathai said : "The leaders also felt that priority needed to be given to issues
of people-to-people contacts. In this context, they decided that a liberalized
visa agreement, which has been worked out should be signed during the next meeting
of the Home/Interior Secretaries." Mathai also informed that Dr. Singh has accepted
Zardari's invitation to visit Pakistan . "President Zardari invited Prime Minister
Dr. Manmohan Singh to visit Pakistan . PM accepted the invitation with pleasure
and said he would be happy to visit at an appropriate time," said Mathai. "The
diplomatic channels will be used to work out the mutually acceptable dates and
the substantive preparations for that visit," he added. Pakistani President Asif
Ali Zardari left for Ajmer to pay obeisance at the shrine of Khwaja Moinuddin
Chishti after having fruitful and constructive talks with Indian Prime Minister
Dr. Manmohan Singh at the latter's official residence, 7 Race Course Road . Parliamentary
Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal is accompanying Zardari to Ajmer , and he
will be offering a chadar at Moinuddin Chishti's dargah on behalf of Prime Minister
Dr. Manmohan Singh. Both India and Pakistan expressed satisfaction with today's
talks, and showed keen interest in finding practical, pragmatic solutions to all
issues. Zardari will be at the shrine of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti for nearly an
hour before flying back to Pakistan . India and Pakistan, which have fought three
wars since their independence from British rule in 1947, have been slowly trying
to repair relations and agreed to resume formal peace talks broken off in the
wake of the Mumbai attack in 2008.
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