Indian PM Manmohan Singh wants to visit Pakistan
I still have not given up the hope of going to Pakistan, Manmohan Singh told reporters.
NEW DELHI (Web Desk) - Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Friday said he does want to go to Pakistan before stepping down but the conditions must be "appropriate".
Asked why he had not gone to Pakistan since taking office in 2004, the prime minister said he "would very much like to go to Pakistan.
"I was born in a village which is now part of west Punjab. But as prime minister of the country, I should go to Pakistan if conditions are appropriate to achieve solid results, he told a press conference.
"Ultimately I felt that the circumstances were not appropriate (to visit Pakistan). I still have not given up the hope of going to Pakistan before (giving up office)."
The Indian Prime Minister said good relations between India and Pakistan are essential for peace and development in South Asia.
Singh said that South Asian countries now need to give priority to economic and social development to overcome rampant poverty, and good relations between India and Pakistan are very important for realizing development.
