On Board PM’s Special Aircraft, Sept. 25: After days of speculation, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday confirmed he would meet his Pakistan counterpart Nawaz Sharif in New York, when he is expected to convey concerns over “barbaric” incidents on the LoC and continued terrorism emanating from Pakistan.
At the meeting on September 29, the Indian side will see what the new Pakistan Prime Minister, who has made “some nice statements” about the relationship, has to offer to address its concerns over ceasefire violations on the Line of Control and International Border, continued terrorism and inaction against the perpetrators of the 2008 Mumbai attack.
In a statement issued this morning in New Delhi before embarking on his visit to the US, Singh said he was “looking forward” to meeting Mr Sharif in New York, ending days of speculation over whether they would meet in the American city where both will attend the UN General Assembly.
The situation on the LoC and terrorism will be discussed, highly placed sources said about the talks that will take place against the backdrop of a chill in bilateral ties after the killing of five Indian soldiers on the LoC by Pakistani troops in August.
Emphasising the need for talks with Pakistan, the sources said it is all the more essential after the “barbaric incidents” on the LoC. Questioned what has changed since Singh said “it cannot be business as usual” with Pakistan after an Indian soldier was behaeded on the LoC in January, the sources said since then Sharif had taken over as the new Premier and has made “some nice” statements about taking the relationship forward. The sources said the two leaders will revie the status of bilateral relations to see “where we are and where we need to go”.
They, however, sought to keep expectations low, emphasising that any substantial outcome should not be hoped for. The sources further said there will be no joint statement.