Manmohan pledges 'serious work' to resolve water row
India wants to work 'seriously' to resolve the ongoing water dispute with Pakistan, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said on Friday.
While talking to reporters after meeting Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on the sidelines of the Asia-Europe meeting (Asem) summit, Singh said the issue would not be allowed to affect the peace process between the two neighbours. "We want to seriously work on resolving this issue," he said.
The two leaders had a five-minute meeting accompanied by their aides and later had a one-on-one meeting that lasted 20 minutes. While addressing reporters later, they said their interaction had been useful and both sides were willing to solve their common problems.
Dialogue: Singh said the two countries were committed to resolving their pending disputes through composite dialogue.
He said Gilani had invited his attention towards Pakistan's serious concerns over Baglihar Dam. Singh said he had assured Gilani India would take steps to implement the relevant agreement in letter and spirit.
Trade: Welcoming the initiation of trade across the Line of Control (LoC), the two prime ministers discussed the possibility of further enhancing bilateral trade and business contacts. The two leaders also discussed enhancing confidence-building measures (CBMs).
Terrorism: The two premiers also pledged to work together to combat terrorism.
Addressing reporters, they said terrorism was a threat to both countries.
Gilani said the two countries needed to focus on fighting poverty, hunger and illiteracy to improve the socio-economic conditions of their people. He said terrorism was affecting the economic progress of both the countries. "We are in total agreement to fight this menace jointly," he added.
Commenting on the financial crisis at regional and international levels, Gilani said both India and Pakistan were sailing in the same boat and were prepared to co-operate to face it. He said the issue was also discussed threadbare at the Asem during the ongoing summit.
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