ISLAMABAD:
With a formal invitation extended by President Asif Ali Zardari, India’s prime minister is expected to visit Pakistan as soon as November this year amidst signs of improved relations between the two nations.
Diplomatic sources have confirmed that Islamabad and New Delhi are finalising the dates for Dr Manmohan Singh’s maiden trip to Pakistan.
President Zardari formally invited Dr Singh to visit the country through a letter sent on Friday to him through Pakistan’s mission in New Delhi, according to presidential spokesperson Senator Farhatullah Babar.
Senator Babar, in a statement, also hinted that Singh might visit Pakistan in November.
“If the visit were to coincide with the birthday celebrations of Baba Guru Nanak, that would not only be well received by the Pakistani nation but would also reinforce our mutual desire to promote inter-faith and inter-religious harmony,” President Zardari said in the letter.
He also recalled his meeting with the Indian prime minister in New Delhi during his visit to Ajmer Sharif and expressed satisfaction over the headway made so far in the dialogue process.
“The president expressed hope that the engagements will help promote our ties in the right direction and help in realising our shared dream of a peaceful and prosperous South Asia,” the statement added.
Singh will be the first Indian premier to visit Islamabad since 2004 when the then Indian chief executive Atal Behari Vajpayee held ice-breaking talks with military ruler Pervez Musharraf.
“Time is running out for Pakistan to sincerely change its foreign relations paradigm. For PM Singh, in the twilight of his career, this perhaps is his last chance to be magnanimous and go down in the annals of history as a statesman, not a mere politician,” remarked Harris Khalique, poet and writer.
Earlier this month, Prime Minister Singh himself announced he was ready for a visit to Pakistan, in anticipation that the move would prove fruitful.
Singh’s visit would signal a visible thaw in Pakistan-India relations, which deteriorated after the November 2008 Mumbai attacks and prove to be the fruit of behind-the-scenes diplomatic engagement between Pakistan and India since the attack.
Recently, the two countries also decided to revive their bilateral cricket ties with the Pakistani team visiting India for one-day and T20 matches in the first such series in five years.
Ahead of the important trip, foreign ministers of both countries are due to meet in September to review the progress made so far in the resumed peace process.
On Thursday, Foreign Minister S M Krishna, said during a visit to Srinagar that Singh would visit Pakistan soon.
Friendship between the two countries has become inevitable, especially after New Delhi and Islamabad reconciled over several sensitive issues, according to Krishna.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 28th, 2012.
COMMENTS (21)
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P. M. Singh should not visit pakistan , as officialy their establihsment consider us their enemy. We had so many talks with Pakistan and most of the times it will either lead to Kargil or Mumbai. Pakistan has not shown any seriousness in curbing support for jihadi organization and head of Let Jud is one of the most revered person . So what is the point of Dr. Sing's visit.
This visit will be nothing more than visiting his native village and Nankana Sahib. May be a agreement will signed about Sikh devotees visiting various Gurudwaras in Pakistan. There might be some other cosmetic MOUs. Also some bleeding hearts will travel with Mr Singh. There will be lot of media coverage, talks like we are all same and bla bla. Jihadi will also issue some statements to make their presence felt. May be Mr Singh will address the Pakistani parliament and say few emotional things. this in effect can be the summary in advance of Mr Singh's Pakistan trip.
It is a good sign. mr. Singh must be welcomed with open hearts looking at a better future for both countries. We have peace in the area then west will also avoid disturbing us every now and then
Wasim
What use him coming to Pakistan,while these snakes of bunderstan are arround.They are so ignorant and stupid,like their leaders likewise Bal Thakeray and Modi. It is ISI phobia which is blinding all bunderstanis.Untill they are ready to compromise on the issues,there should be no talks with that country ever.
@Musings:
nonsense. the peace initative pakistan is taking is coming on the heals of what president musharraf did. the groundwork has been laid by him for all future negotiations with india.
you guys got no idea how india moved on? Also this time public mood in india not favous for talks with pakistan. despite of this reality our prime minister still consider to revive the friendship and bilateral exchanges. your enemy is lies with your own system not with us. an educated and responsible citizen of pakistan should educate their next generation about truth and importance of friendly atmoshphere needs. our prime minister is not a politician and he is a bureacatic it is good for u people to sieze the oppurtunity and improve the relationship. I don't think ur leaders will do.
It will be a waste of time. Of course, Manmohan Singh has just a few months to go as PM. He can plan his future in village Gah. No loss to India if he decides to stay back considering that he loves Pakistan more.
@Someone: Have you ever stop supporting those cockroaches that you call " Stratigic Assets " who incidently are killing your own people daily in your own towns and bazaars ?
This is just part of the endless cycle of trying to make Pakistan a civilized neighbour, followed by a treacherous criminal act by the state against India. India never learns.
@Mohammad Ali Siddiqui: "What is the use of Indian Premier’s visit to Pakistan when not a single inch India will move forward on numbers of issues with Pakistan"
Well, we have certainly seen in last two decades as to Pakistan's movements ! Introducing Proxies in Kasmir to kill innocent and cause, mayham & unstabilty, effecting the very people they claim to be liberating by destrying their livlihoods from tourism, which incidently was their largest income generator ! We have also seen their movements in Kargil, where their misadventurism led to abandon the bodies of their own soldiers ! we have seen their so called " Non State Actors causing mayham and murder of the innocent unarmed civilians on streets of Mumbai, yet have the audacity to deny their involvement or accept the fact that they were their Nationals !!! How much further movement would you like from India ? Thank your lucky stars, that this is India and they are civilised and tolerant society, because had this been Israel, Pakistan would have received a very prompt reply with double the level of savagery that they have shown ! Rest assure the general mood in India at present is not in favour of anything towards this trip or any other dealings with Pakistan, as on current course, Pakistan will implode from within in next decada, if not sooner !
@chris: India should serously think about ending ALL relations with Pakistan, with concrete steel wall on all its border.
Very well. You are most welcome to raise such a wall. In fact, We will help you in this sacred job.Look at your Map and Boundries and see who will be incarcerate itself? Welcome to the New Prison. We hope there are many other Leaders in your nation with such noble thoughts. We admire them. Keep it up!!
If Singh comes, Pak leaders should bring up this issue first and foremost on the table http://tribune.com.pk/story/413978/indian-spy-ring-working-in-azad-kashmir-busted/ And also Balochistan. No negotiations until India defines its stance clearly on this and stops support to terror groups.
What is the use of Indian Premier's visit to Pakistan when not a single inch India will move forward on numbers of issues with Pakistan.
The news may be important for the print and electrinic media to give coverage but not to an ordinary Pakistani or to the Pakistani Nation.
It is not more than a futile effort.
Generation's have passed, but there is no light at the end of the tunnel.
Amn Ki Asha is just a fake slogan.
It is in interest of both countries to have good relations.More trade and commerce and people exchange is the way forward. Both countries need to trust each other and spend resources to improve quality of life of their citizens
Dream on ! Singh has too many issues on domestic front and coalition is not as strong politically either, and with the view to the stalemate at present on Mumbai Attacks issues, it would be impossible for Singh to visit Pakistan in near future. Even the Cricket matches to be held have a very large opposition at present and may eventually be pospotioned or cancelled !
One must give credit to the statesmanship of Asif Ali Zardari. The sense of timing, the choice of words; it is wonderfully diplomatic and irresistibly convincing. Very few leaders in the history of Pakistan have shown the kind of leadership nuance that this much-maligned, mocked and underestimated president has.
Good luck Dr MMS. Hope you bring more peace dividends.
@chris What's with your bigoted views? Get a perspective on life mate! No matter what anybody does that includes our neighbours it is our leaderships bounden duty to seek and create a peaceful neighborhood for it's citizens. This as history shows us has to be seated in great reason and a vision for the greater good of humanity.
India should serously think about ending ALL relations with Pakistan, with concrete steel wall on all its border.