Manmohan Singh likely to discuss issues concerning ceasefire violations, 26/11 attacks with Sharif

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh is likely to take up issues concerning the ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC) and the progress made with regard to the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks during his meeting with Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said Dr. Singh has previously listed out India's concerns in terms of engagement with Pakistan.

"These concerns he had previously also said-relate to the LoC, relate to our concerns regarding Pakistani territory being used for violence against India and also movement on 26/11. So, these are the perennials that have been plaguing us, and I am certain that these are the issues which will be discussed by the Prime Minister," Akbaruddin told media on-board Air India One.

"Of course, this is the first interaction, and it is a meeting where they will talk. So, let us wait for what they talk, and then we will provide you with an outcome of what has been the discussion about," he added.

Asserting that he was looking forward to meeting his Indian counterpart Dr. Manmohan Singh, Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif told the media in New York today that he would be happy to pick up from where he left off in 1999.

"I will be very happy to meet him and hope to figure out the threads from where we left in 1999," he said.

Sharif, who was later asked to comment on the ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC), said the governments of both the sides should think about it.

Dr. Singh earlier in the day confirmed that he would be meeting Sharif during his visit to the United States.

In his departure statement released at New Delhi before embarking on a five-day visit to the United States, Dr. Singh said he looks forward to bilateral meetings with leaders of some neighbouring countries including Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal.

"During my visit to New York, I also look forward to bilateral meetings with the leaders of some of our neighbouring countries, including Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan," he said.

Tension has been running high along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch District since August 6 when five Indian soldiers were ambushed and killed by Pakistan's Specialist Forces.

Meanwhile, Dr. Singh today reached Frankfurt in Germany, enroute to the US. After staying for the night at Frankfurt, Dr. Singh will leave for Washington tomorrow where he is scheduled to have a summit level meeting with US President Barack Obama on September 27 in the White House.