By Manish Chand, IANS,
On Board Air India One : A day before he meets Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari in New York, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said Tuesday he will take up the issue of cross-border terror with Zardari but set a positive tone by stressing that both countries should work together to combat the scourge.
“There are enormous challenges ahead for both India and Pakistan. We are to see how peace can be brought and how we can work together,” Manmohan Singh told reporters on his way to New York, when asked about his agenda for talks with Zardari.
“India-Pakistan relations are about challenges. We face common challenges and we will seek to convert them into opportunities,” the prime minister said.
“That is among the challenges we have to meet,” the prime minister said when asked whether he will take up the issue of continuing cross-border terrorism with Zardari in New York Wednesday.
Lauding the “advent of democracy in Pakistan”, the prime minister underlined: “We are looking forward to working together”.
Cross-border terrorism, increasing Line of Control ceasefire violations, infiltration and the July 7 bombing of the Indian embassy in Kabul will figure prominently in Manmohan Singh’s talks with Zardari. The two leaders are also likely to announce the start of cross-border trade, expected to begin Oct 1.