NEW DELHI, 1 April 2005 — Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh indicated he would be discussing relevant issues with President Pervez Musharraf when the latter visits New Delhi next month to view a cricket match between the two countries, news reports said yesterday.
“When politicians meet, they cannot confine their discussions to the state of the weather,” Manmohan told reporters accompanying him on a three-day visit to Mauritius, the Hindu newspaper reported.
The Indian leader was responding to a question on whether the Kashmir issue would come up during his talks with Musharraf, who is scheduled to visit Delhi on April 17.
Manmohan said there had been progress in the dialogue process since September 2004. One round of the composite dialogue process had been completed and another round was set to begin soon.
“I believe the people of the two countries want us to move forward. They want the bitterness of the past to give way to a new phase of brotherhood,” Manmohan said.
Manmohan welcomed last week’s offer from the United States to sell warplanes, nuclear reactors and missile systems to India. The Indian premier had initially expressed “disappointment” in a telephone call with President George W. Bush on the offer because it included a decision by the United States to resume the sale of F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan.
However, speaking to reporters Wednesday on his way to Mauritius, Manmohan changed his tone to one of cautious welcome. “India welcomes the development,” Manmohan told reporters covering his state visit. “The fact is that the US has expressed its willingness to engage in matters related to increased cooperation in matters related to nuclear as well as non-nuclear issues.”
The Indian Express newspaper noted that since initially expressing his dismay over the US resuming jet fighter sales to Pakistan at a time when the two countries are engaged in delicate peace talks, Manmohan has now said that India wants to encourage a broader relationship.
“It is a fact they (US) want the strategic relationship to grow in depth,” Manmohan told reporters. “We have to find out what they want exactly, what they have in mind.”
About his meeting with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao next month Manmohan said his meeting with Wen would have an “impact of significance” not only on South Asia but the rest of the world.
“The Chinese premier himself stated the world will be watching the two of us when we shake hands,” Manmohan told reporters during his three-day visit to Mauritius, the Telegraph newspaper reported.
