WASHINGTON, Aug 30: President Gen Pervez Musharraf is expected to have his first meeting with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New York on Sept 22. It is expected to be a one-on-one meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session.
Diplomatic observers in the US capital said that some recent irritants in relations between Pakistan and India would not have a major impact on the peace process begun by the two countries in January this year.
They said they hoped that both India and Pakistan would be able to overcome these irritants before their leaders come to New York. They believe that in the forthcoming session both India and Pakistan will underscore the importance of continuing the peace process.
Although in their speeches, both President Musharraf and Prime Minister Singh may still reiterate their historical positions on Kashmir, "their tones may not be as bitter as it has always been and instead of beating the war drums, we expect them to speak of each in positive terms," said a US official.
JAWED NAQVI ADDS FROM NEW DELHI: Dr Singh said that South Asian countries must shed a debilitating mutual suspicion of each for a congenial atmosphere for development.
"South Asia needs a new vision for the future backed by credible strategies that have the backing of the common people and can reverse the adverse tide of strife and suspicion", Dr Singh told a delegation of senior South Asian policy analysts from seven institutions in the region.
He asked the scholars of the region to come forward with ideas that would help the region develop together, conquering the scourge of poverty and disease. "A new climate of opinion has to be created that cooperation has immense possibilities.
The leadership in the region has an obligation to create a congenial atmosphere for cooperation in our common struggle for development," Dr Singh said. The delegation was led by Dr Arjun Sengupta, former Member of India's Planning Commission.
