Indian FM Says He Brought Goodwill Message For Pakistanis

Islamabad, Sept 8, IRNA -- Indian Foreign Minister, S M Krishna, who began a three-day visit to Pakistan on Friday, said on his arrival in Islamabad that he has brought a message of goodwill for the Pakistani people. Talking to the media at the Islamabad's military Chaklala airbase said that both countries are trying to live together in an atmosphere of friendliness and all round cooperation, free from terror and violence. 'India wants to see Pakistan a prosperous and stable country,' Krishna said, adding the leadership of both the countries wants restoration of mutual trust. S.M Krishna said India and Pakistan want the region free from violence and terrorism. 'We look to the future wherever two countries are able to live together in an atmosphere free some terror and violence,' he said. The Indian external Affairs Minister said that his endeavor during the visit will be to promote the objectives of peace and prosperity of both countries. The Indian FM was received on his arrival by senior officials of the Foreign Ministry and Indian High Commissioner on his arrival in Pakistan. The Foreign Ministry says Krishna will hold official talks with his Pakistani counterpart, Hina Rabbani Khar on Saturday to review developments after their last round of bilateral talks. The two foreign ministers, following the review of progress in the last year bilateral talks, are expected to prepare the framework for the third round of the ‘Composite Dialog”. The Indian Foreign Minister will also call on President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister, Raja Pervez Ashraf and will convey messages of goodwill from the Indian leaders. He is scheduled to meet some senior Pakistani political leaders, including former Prime Minister, Muhammad Nawaz Sharif during his stay in Pakistan. He will spend his last day in the eastern city of Lahore. The foreign ministers' talks will be preceded by working meetings between the foreign senior secretaries of both countries where they finalized the agenda for the meeting of the foreign ministers. The foreign secretaries will meet later Friday. The two ministers will also co-chair the Plenary of the India-Pakistan Joint Commission to be held in Islamabad on Sept 8, the Foreign Office said. The Joint Commission was revived in 2005 after a gap of 16 years and it held meetings in 2006 and 2007. The Joint Commission could not be held in nearly five years following the 2008 Mumbai attacks./end