Gilani, Manmohan meet in Bhutan

Gilani,  Manmohan meet in Bhutan
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Summary

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh met in Bhutan on Thursday on the margins of a Saarc summit,Dunya News reported.The two leaders discussed bilateral issues, and other related subjects of resumption of composite dialogue between the two countries.Foreign ministers and foreign secretaries of both countries were also present in the meeting. The foreign secretaries of both the countries would brief media after the meeting.India halted peace talks with Pakistan after the November 2008 Mumbai attacks in which 166 people were killed and which India has blamed on Pakistan-based militants.A meeting between the leaders is seen as crucial because it could help keep alive engagement between two countries whose battle for influence in Afghanistan has a direct bearing on regional stability. Kasuri urged resumption of composite dialogueState Minister for Kashmir Affairs, while talking to Dunya News, called for resumption of composite dialogue and back channel diplomacy between India and Pakistan.He maintained that no breakthrough could be predicted ahead of these talks.However, he said the talks could help improve ties between the two countries. Talks to restore trust between India, Pakistan: Shireen MazariStrategic Analyst Shireen Mazari, while talking to Dunya News, termed todays meeting as a positive factor for the bilateral ties. She said that Manmohan alone could not take any decision as he has to listen to his parliament and cabinet; she however, urged the resumption of composite dialogue, adding that otherwise the purpose of talks would not met and it would be a sheer wastage of time. She said that only talks could help restore the trust between the two countries.
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