By NNN-APP,
Beijing : Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani and his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh met here Friday in the Great Hall of the People on the sidelines of Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) summit and pledged to work together for combating the menace of terrorism.
The two leaders first had a five minutes meeting along with their aides and later had one-on-one meeting that lasted for about 20 minutes.
Later, while talking to newsmen they termed their interaction as useful and said there was willingness on both sides to address their common problems.
About terrorism, they said it is a common threat to the two countries.
Prime Minister Gilani said the two countries need to focus on fighting poverty, hunger and illiteracy to improve the socio-economic life of their people.
The terrorism, he said is our common enemy that is affecting their economic progress.
Pakistan, he reiterated, is against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
“We are in total agreement to fight this menace jointly,” he added.
About financial crisis at the regional and international levels, he said that both the countries are sailing in the same boat and prepared to cooperate to face it.
The matter was also discussed threadbare at the ASEM’s level during the on-going summit meeting, he said.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said the two countries are committed to move forward in a positive manner for resolving their pending disputes through the process of composite dialogue.
He said Prime Minister Gilani invited his attention towards Pakistan’s serious concerns over the issue of Baghliar Dam.
Prime Minister Singh said that he assured Prime Minister Gilani that Indian government will take all possible steps for implementing the relevant agreement to this effect in letter and spirit.
To a question, he categorically stated that the water dispute would not be allowed to affect the peace process between the two countries.
“We want to seriously work on resolving this issue,” he added.
During the talks, the two leaders also discussed the possibility of further enhancing their trade and business contacts.
Prime Minister Singh appreciated his meeting with President Asif Ali Zardari in September during the 63rd UNGA session in New York and said that it carried ambitious agenda to develop their trade and business links.
The Indian Prime Minister particularly mentioned the opening of Line of Control (LoC) for bilateral trade, stating it was a good step forward to promote business activities.
Mr. Singh hoped that there will be positive outcome of their negotiations on various issues.
This was Prime Minister Gilani second meeting with Indian counterpart within three months.
Both the leaders also met on the sidelines of 15th South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation summit held in Colombo in August.