On the eve of a crucial meeting between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Pakistani counterpart Yusuf Raza Gilani, the US said that it encourages such development which is good for the region.
Dr. Singh and Mr. Gilani are scheduled to meet today on the sidelines of the on going 16th SAARC Summit in Thimphu, the Capital of Bhutan.
“We have encouraged the leaders of Pakistan and India, to restore, direct dialogue that has been characteristic of the relation between those two countries within the last few years. We’re encouraged that they are taking steps to do that,” Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs P.J. Crowley told reporters.
“I think we always think that when leaders of countries, you know, particularly countries with the history of -- the unique history of India and Pakistan -- any time they can get together for high-level, constructive dialogue, that is good for the region, and we support it,” Mr. Crowley said in response to a question.
Noting that the US is having its own strategic dialogue with both India and Pakistan and is planning for the next round of discussions with India in the next few weeks, Mr. Crowley said the United States has always encouraged the two South Asian countries that they need to restore a high-level dialogue that they have had in the not-too-distant past.
“You know, there have been significant steps by both countries, restore dialogue, both at the leader level and lower levels, and we certainly encourage that,” Mr. Crowley said.
When asked about the SAARC Summit, where Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Robert Blake is attending the meet as an observer, Mr. Crowley said this is one of a number of important structures that is there, across the broader Asia region.
“We think they’re important. We encourage them. And, as you see, both with, Secretary Blake’s appearance at the SAARC, you know, the secretary is committed to strengthen the United States’ ties to other structures, like ASEAN, this is an indication of our ongoing and deepening commitment to the region,” Mr. Crowley said.
Showing posts with label SAARC meeting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label SAARC meeting. Show all posts
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Monday, April 26, 2010
No ruling out Manmohan, Gilani meeting during SAARC meet: Krishna
In a first official indication of a possible meeting between the Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan here, External Affairs Minister S M Krishna on Monday said the bilateral meeting cannot be ruled out.
“I am not ruling it out,” Mr. Krishna said when asked if Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will meet his Pakistani counterpart Yusuf Raza Gilani during his visit here for the SAARC summit to be held on April 28 to 29.
Observing that heads of states and governments are going to be under the same roof for the next couple of days for the multilateral meeting, the minister said there will be a number of bilateral meetings during the period.
“Lets wait and watch, how things are going to work out,” he said, adding “all bilateral issues between India and Pakistan will be discussed as and when the Prime Ministers meet“.
Asked about Pakistan’s request seeking the testimony of the Indian magistrates who recorded the confessional statement of Mumbai attack accused Ajmal Kasab, Mr. Krishna said he was yet to examine the matter.
Mr. Krishna said he has received the dossier containing the request late last night but he was yet to go through the same.
Maintaining that Kasab’s trial was in advanced stage in India, he said it was going on in full steam.
“We have to complete our legal formalities first and then we can examine Pakistan’s request for the same,” he said, adding, the matter will be examined in consultation with other ministries and departments.
The Pakistani side has made a request for three Indian officials, including two magistrates and an investigator, to be allowed to travel to Pakistan to testify that they had recorded Kasab’s statement.
A special court in Mumbai hearing the case of Kasab, the lone gunman captured alive by Indian authorities after the Mumbai siege of 2008, is expected to deliver its verdict on May 3.
Mr. Krishna arrived here for the 16th SAARC summit to be held on Wednesday and Thursday.
“I am not ruling it out,” Mr. Krishna said when asked if Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will meet his Pakistani counterpart Yusuf Raza Gilani during his visit here for the SAARC summit to be held on April 28 to 29.
Observing that heads of states and governments are going to be under the same roof for the next couple of days for the multilateral meeting, the minister said there will be a number of bilateral meetings during the period.
“Lets wait and watch, how things are going to work out,” he said, adding “all bilateral issues between India and Pakistan will be discussed as and when the Prime Ministers meet“.
Asked about Pakistan’s request seeking the testimony of the Indian magistrates who recorded the confessional statement of Mumbai attack accused Ajmal Kasab, Mr. Krishna said he was yet to examine the matter.
Mr. Krishna said he has received the dossier containing the request late last night but he was yet to go through the same.
Maintaining that Kasab’s trial was in advanced stage in India, he said it was going on in full steam.
“We have to complete our legal formalities first and then we can examine Pakistan’s request for the same,” he said, adding, the matter will be examined in consultation with other ministries and departments.
The Pakistani side has made a request for three Indian officials, including two magistrates and an investigator, to be allowed to travel to Pakistan to testify that they had recorded Kasab’s statement.
A special court in Mumbai hearing the case of Kasab, the lone gunman captured alive by Indian authorities after the Mumbai siege of 2008, is expected to deliver its verdict on May 3.
Mr. Krishna arrived here for the 16th SAARC summit to be held on Wednesday and Thursday.
