US hopes for positive outcome from Indo-Pak dialogue

THIMPHU - The United States is hopeful of a positive outcome of the talks between Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, which will be taking place later today on the sidelines of the XVIth SAARC Summit.

Talking to reporters in Thimphu, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Central and South Asian Affairs, Robert Blake, said: “I think it is very positive that the two Prime Ministers are going to be meeting later today. The U.S. always welcomes dialogue. We really commend the two Prime Ministers, and we hope that there is positive outcome.”

Blake is participating as an observer alongwith eight other representatives, including from Iran, China, Australia, Myanmar and Japan.

The Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan are meeting after nine months. They last met on the sidelines of the NAM summit at the Egyptian resort of Sharm-el-Sheikh.

The U.S has been pushing both countries for resuming dialogue that was stalled immediately after the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.

New Delhi insists that composite dialogue cannot be resumed until Pakistan takes adequate action against the culprits of Mumbai attacks.

Thursday’s meeting between Dr. Singh and Prime Minister Gilani does not have a fixed agenda.

Pakistan has said that dialogue should be on the pattern of the Sharm-el-Sheikh in which both countries carved out a joint statement, whereas India is seeking more commitment from Pakistan on dealing with cross-border terrorism.

Blake is also confident that India will soon get access to David C.Headley, one of the masterminds of the Mumbai carnage. By Naveen Kapoor (ANI)