An air of uncertainty hung around a possible meeting between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Pakistani counterpart, Yousaf Raza Gilani, both of whom are here to participate in the Second Nuclear Security Summit which begins here Monday. While no structured, formal meeting is on the cards, PM Manmohan Singh may meet his Pakistani counterpart on the sidelines of the second Nuclear Security Summit that begins here on Monday in what is dubbed a “pull aside”.
Pakistan’s ambassador to S. Korea, Shaukat Ali Mukadam, did not rule out the possibility of a “pull aside” meeting while speaking to reporters after the completion of a ceremonial welcome for Dr Singh at the South Korean President’s official residence. Regarding the fears expresed often about the security of Pakistan’s nuclear stockpile, the Pakistan ambassador maintained that there shouldn’t be any cause for worry. “All our installations are well-guarded and we have the best command and control strcutre,” he said.
Though no formal meeting has been sought, the two leaders may meet informally at the reception which will be hosted by S. Korean President Lee Myung-Bak for the 57 world leaders in town to participate in the nuke summit. Mr Lee is also hosting a Working Dinner for the leaders at the COEX Convention Centre when they would review the progress made since the Washington Summit.
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Posco project on, PM assures South Koreans
age correspondent
SEOUL, MARCH 25
It’s a project that’s been hanging fire for seven years now. So when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh sought greater South Korean investment in infrastructure building in India, it was perhaps only natural that he reassured them that the long-delayed Posco steel plant project in Orissa would come to fruition soon.
The PM’s reassurance was enunciated to South Korean president Lee Myung-bak during a banquet that was hosted by the latter in his honour at the Blue House, his official residence. Dr Singh chose to bring up the topic himself, informing the President that India would like to see the project completed soon. Informing the President that India is working towards it, Dr Singh also said that it was a project that’s important for India.
A project that’s been in the doldrums for long, the project found mention in the joint statement issued after the Singh-Lee meeting.
It said, ‘The two leaders also affirmed the importance of implementing the Posco project in the state of Orissa”.
Speaking to reporters later, the Indian ambassador in Seoul, Vishnu Prakash said that of the 4,00 acres of land required for the project, around 2,200 acres have been acquired.