November 10, 2011

Prime Minister of Pakistan (Mr. Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani): Today I had a very good meeting with Hon. Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh. We had the earlier meeting in Thimphu, and we decided to resume dialogue, and we are moving in a positive direction.

Our two Foreign Ministers have met. Our Interior Ministers have met. Our Commerce Ministers have met. Interior Secretaries and Secretaries Defence have also met each other. The Prime Minister and myself have been meeting on the sidelines several times. We have discussed all issues concerning India and Pakistan. We have very openly discussed all issues including all core issues. We have discussed, the Prime Minister and we have been very open.

The two Foreign Ministers were also called in. They were also briefed so that they are the face of the countries and further whenever they have to have interactions with the media they can give you more details. I can only assure that I have discussed all issues, all core issues, and also the issues related to water, related to terrorism, related to Sir Creek, related to Siachen, related to trade, related to Kashmir. We have discussed all core issues, and the Prime Minister has always been open and he said that put all the cards on the table, I am ready to discuss each and every issue. And I think that the next round of the talks would be more constructive, more positive, and will open a new chapter in the history of both the countries.

Thank you very much. Once again I thank the Prime Minister for supporting Pakistan in the Security Council and also for access to the EU market. Thank you very much, Prime Minister.

Prime Minister of India (Dr. Manmohan Singh): Ladies and gentlemen, I have always regarded Prime Minister Gilani as a man of peace. Every time I have met him in the last three years, this belief has been further strengthened.

We have today had a very extensive discussion of relations of our two countries. We started a new process in Thimphu last year. That dialogue process has yielded some positive results. But more needs to be done. And, therefore, we have decided that we will resume this dialogue with the expectation that all issues which have bedeviled the relations between our two countries will be discussed with all the sincerity that our two countries can bring to bear on these talks.

I have always believed that the destinies of people of India and Pakistan are very closely linked, interlinked that we have wasted lot of time in the past in acrimonious debates. The time has come to write a new chapter in the history of our relationship. And I am very happy that Prime Minister Gilani fully endorses this view that we have a unique opportunity, and, therefore, the next round of talks should be far more productive, far more result-oriented in bringing the two countries closer to each other than ever before.

I thank you.

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