May 30, 2003	Friday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 27,1424

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BEIJING, May 29: The peace initiatives taken by Pakistan and India are likely to be discussed by Chinese President Hu Jintao and Indian Premier Atal Behari Vajpayee when they meet at St Petersburg on Saturday.

Sources in the Chinese foreign ministry told APP on Thursday both leaders would be in Russia to attend St Petersburg’s celebrations and avail themselves of the opportunity to hold a meeting.

There is no agenda for the meeting. Yet, the sources said, the two would discuss matters of bilateral interest as well as the regional situation.

It has been consistent stand of China that India should hold talks with Pakistan as soon as possible to settle their long-standing disputes, including the Kashmir issue.

Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri recently held telephonic conversation with his Chinese counterpart Li Zhaoxing and took him into confidence about the steps being taken by Pakistan to improve relations with India.

The sources said China welcomed the steps taken by the two countries for resumption of dialogue and promotion of peace and stability in the region.

China would continue to work to ease the situation in South Asia, the sources added.—APP