Indo-Pak 'core issues' must be addressed sincerely: Pak PM

Ahead of the crucial Foreign Secretary-level talks here, Pakistan Premier Yousuf Raza Gilani today said the "core issues" between the two countries should be addressed with sincerity in the bilateral dialogue process.

Gilani "underlined the imperative of addressing the core issues with sincerity" under the dialogue process that resumed earlier this year.

He also highlighted the need for "increased trade between the two countries as well as the importance of people-to-people contacts," particularly enhanced exchanges of parliamentarians to bring the people of the two countries closer.

Gilani made the remarks while interacting at the Prime Minister's House with a Sikh delegation led by Chaudhry Abhay Singh, a member of the assembly of Haryana state.

The Premier also expressed his satisfaction that the dialogue between the two countries had resumed and meetings of the Interior, Commerce and Defence Secretaries had already taken place.

His remarks came ahead of Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao's visit here to hold talks with her Pakistani counterpart Salman Bashir on June 23-24, during which the two sides would take stock of the progress made during the series of high-level meetings between the two countries in key areas of security, trade and commerce and water.