M A I N   N E W S

Economic ties with Pak a necessity, says Natwar
Tribune News Service

Patiala, February 13
External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh today claimed that the ongoing dialogue with Pakistan was the most intense and sustained effort ever made by India and that economic cooperation between the two countries was a necessity which could not be overlooked.

Talking to reporters on the grounds of the Sheesh Mahal here, after inaugurating the Craft Mela on the eve of his visit to Afghanistan and Pakistan, Mr Natwar Singh said the effort by the present UPA government to improve relations with Pakistan had seen identification of 75 confidence-building measures. “These measures have been handed over to Pakistan and I will talk on these and other issues during my trip to the country”, he said.

The External Affairs Minister said he did not want to prejudge anything. “I am going with an open mind to Pakistan”, he said, adding that he would visit Islamabad, Lahore and Nankana Sahib during the trip. The minister said he would take up the issue of starting a bus service between Nankana Sahib and Amritsar with Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf. He said the issue of direct telecast of ‘shabd kirtan’ from Nankana Sahib could also be discussed.

Speaking about his forthcoming trip to Afghanistan on Tuesday before visiting Pakistan, he said during his Kabul visit he would meet Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai and former King Zahir Shah. Another highlight of the trip, he said, would be the visit to the Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital in Kabul. He said India had already given an aid of $ 400 million to Afghanistan for restoration of much-needed infrastructure like roads, schools and hospitals and added that talks would be held on this issue also.

The Congress leader, who was flanked by the state Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, Finance Minister Surinder Singla and MP Preneet Kaur, also praised Capt Amarinder Singh for the initiative taken by the latter in visiting Pak Punjab and inviting the Pak Punjab Chief Minister to India Punjab. He said the initiative, which had resulted in the Indo-Pak games, had generated tremendous confidence among the people on both sides of the border.

When questioned about the crisis in Nepal after the dismissal of the Deuba government, he said he would not like to comment on the situation.