Pakistan looking forward to talks with India in Tehran: Khar

Zardari-Manmohan Singh likely to meet on the sidelines of the NAM conference in Iran, talk on important issues.

TEHRAN: As President Asif Ali Zardari jetted off to Tehran to participate in the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) conference, Pakistan is looking forward talks with India on the sidelines to resolve important issues between the two neighbouring countries.

In what is due to be a second meeting between President Zardari and Indian Premier Manmohan Singh this year‚ Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar told reporters in Tehran on Wednesday that the environment between the two countries was now moving towards trust building.

She said all previous talks between the two leaders have been "very useful particularly in New Delhi and we hope same spirit would continue in Tehran."

Hina Khar said both sides need to show commitment to move forward. As far as Pakistan is concerned it was committed to moving forward beyond any other issues that might arise between the two countries.

Among those issues is terrorism, with India Today reporting that Singh may press for sterner action against the Mumbai attackers.

Zardari previously met informally with Singh during a day long trip to India in April. He has since extended a formal invitation to the Indian premier to visit Pakistan.

The 16th NAM conference is scheduled to be held in Iran from August 29-31.

Zardari arrives in Iran

President Asif Ali Zardari arrived in Tehran late on Wednesday to attend the Non-Aligned Movement Summit where he would present Pakistan's vision for a new and reinvigorated NAM, besides holding bilateral meetings with leaders of Iran and India.

President Zardari was received by Iranian Interior Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar at the Mehrabad airport.

The President was accompanied by Interior Minister Rehman Malik and Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.

The President in a brief meeting at the airport appreciated the Iranian leadership for successful hosting of the summit.

The President would also hold substantial talks with his Iranian counterpart Mahmoud Ahmedinejad and the Supreme Leader Seyyed Ali Khamenei, and discuss a range of bilateral issues.

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President Zardari was received by Iranian Interior Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar at the Mehrabad airport.

The President was accompanied by Interior Minister Rehman Malik and Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.

The President in a brief meeting at the airport appreciated the Iranian leadership for successful hosting of the summit.

Pakistan's 8-points for NAM

President Asif Ali Zardari hopes to share his proposal for the establishment of a NAM Ad Hoc Working group for discussing and forging a draft common vision statement on New Multilateralism and the role of the Movement in the 21st Century.

During the summit, Pakistan would reiterate its eight point action programme for revitalising the Non Aligned Movement to effectively address the new and emerging global challenges in the areas of peace, security and development in the 21st Century.

Zardari hoped the world leaders would be able to chart out a new course of action for the organisation, established in 1961.

President Zardari in his address to the summit on Thursday was expected to share Pakistan's stance on key global issues, including the evolving situation in Syria, Palestine, Afghanistan and other matters. Pakistan believes that a just solution of Palestine issue on the basis of Palestinian people's right to self-determination was essential for peace, security and prosperity.