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Talks only way forward to resolve Indo-Pak issues: Gilani
Premier Yousuf Raza Gilani has said dialogue is the only way forward for resolving all issues between India and Pakistan despite a perceived lack of progress during the recent Foreign Secretary-level talks.
Premier Yousuf Raza Gilani has said dialogue is the only way forward for resolving all issues between India and Pakistan despite a perceived lack of progress during the recent Foreign Secretary-level talks.
"We raise our hopes and then disappoint ourselves," Gilani said, referring to the February 25 talks between
Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao and her Pakistani counterpart Salman Bashir in New Delhi.
However, he said, talks are the "only way forward."
Gilani expressed his views in response to a question about the parleys during an interview with Geo News channel.
Referring to his meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in Sharm el-Sheikh in July last year and an expected
meeting on the sidelines of the upcoming SAARC summit in Bhutan, he said "whenever we meet, it would be meaningful."
Responding to a query about Singh's visit to Saudi Arabia, Gilani described it as a good development.
He said it would not have any impact on Pak-Saudi ties as the two countries are members of the Organisation of the
Islamic Conference and enjoy close and friendly relations.
Asked about military exercises recently conducted by India at Pokhran, Gilani said Pakistan's defence is in secure
hands and the country is aware of its defence capabilities.
"We are not worried about such things," he said.
Replying to a question about the Indo-US agreement on civil nuclear cooperation, he said, "We have told (the US)
that they have to do something for Pakistan too in order to avoid regional instability."
