BEIJING, Nov 1: President Gen Pervez Musharraf has called for talks with India in a bid to improve relations but does not expect a breakthrough soon, a Chinese newspaper reported on Saturday.

“I would like to see relations between Pakistan and India improve at a faster pace,” the state-run China Daily quoted Gen Musharraf as saying in an interview.

“We are looking forward to holding the Saarc summit in Islamabad next January. We hope for positive results,” he said.

“We are not expecting an immediate breakthrough or solution. But meaningful dialogue must start,” said President Musharraf, who arrived here on Saturday morning.

Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee is expected to attend the Saarc meeting but Indian officials have already said the regional conference might not be the appropriate forum to tackle bilateral issues with Pakistan.—Reuters