Talks with India essential for peace: PM
Gilani says ties with India are based on equality and respect.
ISLAMABAD:
Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said on Tuesday that broad-based talks with India are essential for good relations between the two neighbours and also vital for peace in the region.
Chairing a meeting ahead of Wednesday's trade talks between the two countries, the prime minister said that ties with India are based on equality and respect.
Top Pakistani and Indian officials led by their commerce and trade secretaries will discuss a host of issues of mutual interest on the two-day talks.
They will include an Indian offer to export electricity and possibility of selling petroleum products to Pakistan.
Pakistan may also discuss European Union plans to temporarily waive import duties on some Pakistani products to help it recover from last summer's floods.
The two sides will also discuss setting up free-trade zones along the Indo-Pak border.
According to sources, Pakistan is also willingly to discuss granting Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status to India.
The talks had stopped after 2008 Mumbai attack and this will be the second high-level interaction between the two countries that have seen many ups and downs in their fragile relationship, largely driven by political maneuvering.
Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said on Tuesday that broad-based talks with India are essential for good relations between the two neighbours and also vital for peace in the region.
Chairing a meeting ahead of Wednesday's trade talks between the two countries, the prime minister said that ties with India are based on equality and respect.
Top Pakistani and Indian officials led by their commerce and trade secretaries will discuss a host of issues of mutual interest on the two-day talks.
They will include an Indian offer to export electricity and possibility of selling petroleum products to Pakistan.
Pakistan may also discuss European Union plans to temporarily waive import duties on some Pakistani products to help it recover from last summer's floods.
The two sides will also discuss setting up free-trade zones along the Indo-Pak border.
According to sources, Pakistan is also willingly to discuss granting Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status to India.
The talks had stopped after 2008 Mumbai attack and this will be the second high-level interaction between the two countries that have seen many ups and downs in their fragile relationship, largely driven by political maneuvering.