Pakistan on Thursday said it is looking forward to a “constructive engagement” between President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at their upcoming meeting but there will be no compromise on the “core issue” of Kashmir or maintaining credible nuclear deterrence.
As Mr Zardari geared up for his trip that will see him visit the Ajmer Sufi shrine after a lunch meeting with Dr Singh, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani told Parliament that his government will take the legislature into confidence on the talks and it is committed to discussing all “core issues”, including Kashmir, with India.
Islamabad also said the meeting in New Delhi on April 8 will contribute to intra-regional peace.
“We can assure you that the government is responsible and the dialogue is going on with them (India). We are discussing all the core issues, including Kashmir, Siachen, water and everything, all the issues,” Mr Gilani said while making a statement during a joint session of the National Assembly and Senate.
The President had intended to go on a “private visit” to the Sufi shrine of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti at Ajmer but Dr Singh offered to host him for lunch, Mr Gilani said in response to points raised by Opposition legislators.
Though the PM, being the chief executive, is the key person for talks with India, the President too could have discussions with Indian leaders during his visit, Mr Gilani said.
“Whatever talks are held with the President, we will take the House into confidence,” he added.
Mr Gilani said Dr Singh had told him to “put all the cards on the table” as he (Dr Singh) was “ready to discuss all issues, including Kashmir”.
Foreign office spokesman Abdul Basit told a weekly news briefing earlier that Pakistan is looking forward to a “constructive engagement between the two leaders” when Zardari travels to India on Sunday for a day-long private visit.