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Russian foreign minister to visit Pakistan, India next week
Moscow, June 10: Russian foreign minister Igor Ivanov will visit Pakistan and India next week to discuss bilateral and international security issues, in the backdrop of recent peace overtures by the two countries.
Moscow, June 10: Russian foreign minister Igor Ivanov will visit Pakistan and India next week to discuss bilateral and international security issues, in the backdrop of recent peace overtures by the two countries.
The Foreign Minister would arrive in Islamabad on June 15 before travelling to India the next day.
In Islamabad, the "threats of terrorism, extremism and illegal drug trafficking emanating from Afghanistan and Pakistan" would top Ivanov's agenda at his talks with President Pervez Musharraf, Prime Minister Zafarullah Khan Jamali and foreign minister Khursheed Mehmud Kasuri, state-run Ria Novosti reported today.
The situation in South Asia, post-conflict dispensation in Afghanistan, Iraq and Middle East are also to be discussed by Ivanov during his few hours' stay in Islamabad.
In New Delhi, Ivanov's talks with Indian leaders would focus on the fight against terrorism and religious extremism, Russian foreign ministry officials said.
Russia has fully backed India's demand for ending cross-border terrorism by Pakistan for creating conducive atmosphere for a meaningful dialogue and has urged Islamabad to take appropriate steps in response to Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's peace initiative.
Foreign ministry officials have underscored that Ivanov's visit to India and Pakistan is not a "mediation mission".
According to the diplomatic sources, India was briefed in advance about Ivanov's Islamabad visit plans on way to ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) in Phnom Penh.
During his Russia visit last month, external affairs minister Yashwant Sinha had invited Ivanov to spend some time with him in New Delhi on his way to ARF for discussions on key bilateral and global issues in post-Iraq war scenario.
Bureau Report
In Islamabad, the "threats of terrorism, extremism and illegal drug trafficking emanating from Afghanistan and Pakistan" would top Ivanov's agenda at his talks with President Pervez Musharraf, Prime Minister Zafarullah Khan Jamali and foreign minister Khursheed Mehmud Kasuri, state-run Ria Novosti reported today.
The situation in South Asia, post-conflict dispensation in Afghanistan, Iraq and Middle East are also to be discussed by Ivanov during his few hours' stay in Islamabad.
In New Delhi, Ivanov's talks with Indian leaders would focus on the fight against terrorism and religious extremism, Russian foreign ministry officials said.
Russia has fully backed India's demand for ending cross-border terrorism by Pakistan for creating conducive atmosphere for a meaningful dialogue and has urged Islamabad to take appropriate steps in response to Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's peace initiative.
Foreign ministry officials have underscored that Ivanov's visit to India and Pakistan is not a "mediation mission".
According to the diplomatic sources, India was briefed in advance about Ivanov's Islamabad visit plans on way to ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) in Phnom Penh.
During his Russia visit last month, external affairs minister Yashwant Sinha had invited Ivanov to spend some time with him in New Delhi on his way to ARF for discussions on key bilateral and global issues in post-Iraq war scenario.
Bureau Report