Gilani invites Manmohan to Pakistan

Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday invited his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh to visit his country, during their meeting on the sidelines of the World Cup semifinal.

Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday invited his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh to visit his country, during their meeting on the sidelines of the World Cup semifinal.

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"He did extend an invitation to Manmohan Singh to visit Pakistan," Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao told reporters here after the dinner meeting between the two leaders. She added that this will "need to be discussed and fianised through diplomatic channels".

Rao added that such meetings by themselves were very positive steps.

Rao also said that India was in favour of more sporting contacts, with Gilani also favouring that the Indian team should play against the Pakistani team in Pakistan.