FM Qureshi to meet Indian counterpart in New York

Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mehmood QureshiShah Mehmood Qureshi expressed desire that his forthcoming meeting with his Indian counterpart in USA on the sidelines of UN General Assembly session should yield positive results pleading that it will benefit both the countries.

Talking to media persons at Multan airport, he said that he does not attach high hopes to the expected talks in NewYork but added there exist chances of 'incremental progress' in the wake of meeting with Indian External Affairs Minister.

Reiterating Pakistan's sincere desire to normalizing relations with India and reducing tensions between the two countries, Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi said that positive response from Indian side was vital to move ahead.

He said that Mumbai tragedy was condemnable but added that we cannot afford to remain standstill on this point and need to move forward. He said that Pakistan was studying the Indian dossier and will send its response to India within a week.

He said that Indian intellectuals, and think tanks are raising voice for resumption of Pak-India dialogue process.

Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan SinghManmohan Singh has also stated that dialogue is the only way forward, FM said. He added that the other option is dangerous and suicidal. He said that both countries need to reduce tension and move forward to normalize relations adding that the same is vital for prosperity of the people of the two countries and the whole region.

He said that after heated statements from Indian leaders, Pakistan had summoned the Indian High Commissioner and had asked whether India was ready to honour the understanding reached between Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani and his Indian counterpart Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh regarding talks between the two countries on foreign secretaries and foreign ministers' level.

The Indian HC confirmed that talks will be held between foreign ministers after meeting between foreign secretaries, he added.

To a question regarding reported Indian attempts to pressurize Pakistan through USA, he categorically stated that there will be no compromise on interests of the state and added that Pakistan will adopt a clear cut stance on all issues.

Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi said that Indian High Commissioner was summoned within half an hour after India's protest over Bunji dam and Gilgit-Baltistan Empowerment initiative and added that Indian protest was rejected.

To a question on proposed train service between India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, Foreign Minister said that a conducive environment is needed to run trains. Hurdles in way of dialogue process were not created by us and there is need to remove these hurdles to pay attention to address longstanding issues, he said.

Foreign Minister lauded the armed forces of Pakistan on their successful operation against terrorism. To another question, he said that engaging armed forces on both eastern and western fronts will not benefit Pakistan. Pakistan has a long-term strategy for lasting regional peace and the whole world has extended support to Pakistan, the Foreign Minister said adding that India should also respond.

Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi said that he had held two inter-ministerial meetings and also took Kashmiri representatives from AJK and the Indian side of Kashmir into confidence before the expected forthcoming talks with Indian external affairs minister.

To a question on US agency Black Water, he said that it was not operating in Pakistan.

He said that UAE has promised to hold 2010 meeting of FoDP. Foreign Minister lauded role of media in shaping up national consensus against terrorism and added that foreign envoys acknowledged that democratically elected government was more successful in creating national consensus and was moving in the right direction to combat extremism and terrorism.