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| 11 April 2004 | Sunday | 20 Safar 1425 |
President to visit India if conditions permit: Kasuri wants progress in talks
BEIJING, April 10: Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri has said that much 'work has to be done' if President Pervez Musharraf is to visit India for peace talks, a report said on Saturday.
Gen Musharraf would be willing to visit India if the conditions were right, Mr Kasuri told the official China Daily newspaper while on a three-day visit to Beijing which ended on Friday.
"He would be willing to go as he did in the past," the minister said. But whether President Musharraf went to India would hinge upon progress in the talks and a warming atmosphere with New Delhi, he added.
"That depends on India. It depends on the progress of the peace talks. A lot of work has to be done for such a visit," Mr Kasuri said.
While on his visit Mr Kasuri reassured China that Pakistan's warming ties with the United States would not affect its traditional alliance with Beijing.
The United States granted last month Pakistan the status as its major non-NATO ally.
"This is a unilateral decision that we have welcomed. It is neither a military alliance nor will it affect our relations with any other country," he told the newspaper.
"The purpose of this decision by the US administration is to facilitate the purchase of military equipment by Pakistan from the United States, particularly to assist us in the fight against terrorism," said the minister.
Besides, China and Pakistan have agreed to set up a study group to explore the possibility of establishing a bilateral free trade area.
Official sources said economic experts of both countries would work out a plan to enhance bilateral trade and pave way for free trade agreements.
"Pakistan welcomes more investment from China, especially from the private sector, as China is now not only a large investment receiver, but a large investor," Mr Kasuri said.
China offered a preferential loan of $500 million to Pakistan last November for bilateral trade and economic cooperation.
The loan would be funnelled into infrastructure projects, the minister said.
In reply to a question, he reiterated that Pakistan would not allow any foreign troops on its soil.-Agencies
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