Pakistan wants peace in South Asia: Gilani
Gilani is to attend the SAARC summit taking place in the Maldives this week.
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday said that India-Pakistan dialogue has further increased the importance of the SAARC summit.
Talking to the state media before leaving for the Maldives to attend the 17th summit, Gilani said Pakistan wants peace and prosperity in South Asia.
Interior Minister Rehman Malik, Babar Ghouri and Arbab Alamgir also left for the Maldives with the prime minister.
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Pakistani counterpart Yousuf Raza Gilani are expected to meet on Friday at the SAARC summit in Addu on a southern island in the Maldives formerly used as an outpost by the British navy.
Efforts to reduce tensions have been complicated by the increasing influence of Afghanistan in the bilateral equation.
India and Afghanistan signed a wide-ranging strategic partnership deal last month, leading to suspicion in Pakistan which is vehemently opposed to its arch-foe meddling in what it considers its backyard.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai will also attend the SAARC summit, along with the leaders of other member nations Bangladesh, Bhutan, the Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka.