Islamabad: Pakistan desires friendly and
cooperative relations with India and would like to resolve all
outstanding issues between the two sides peacefully, Foreign
Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said on Thursday.
"The government of Pakistan would like to continue
to work with the government of India to resolve all
outstanding issues peacefully and in a just manner," Qureshi
told visiting Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao.
While noting Pakistan`s desire for friendly and
cooperative relations, Qureshi "emphasised the importance of a
cooperative approach in addressing the common challenge of
terrorism," said a statement issued by the Foreign Office.
Rao called on Qureshi at the Foreign Office
following her talks with Pakistan Foreign Secretary Salman
Bashir.
Sources quoted Qureshi as telling Rao that there was
a "constituency for peace" in both countries that wanted
dialogue and better relations between the two sides.
However, Qureshi also contended that there were
"elements on both sides who did not want dialogue," the
sources said.
Qureshi also lauded Indian Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh’s vision for better bilateral relations and said he was
sincere about building stronger ties.
The Foreign Office statement said Foreign Secretary
Rao conveyed the best wishes of External Affairs Minister S M
Krishna to Qureshi.
Krishna is scheduled to visit Islamabad for a meeting
with Qureshi on July 15. Reciprocating Krishna`s wishes,
Qureshi wished the External Affairs Minister, the people and
the government of India well and said he was looking forward
to his interaction with Krishna next month.
PTI
