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NEW DELHI, Sept 10: Indian Foreign Minister Kunwar Natwar Singh reaffirmed on Saturday that the issue of a death sentence on an alleged Indian spy in Pakistan would be discussed in the summit talks of their leaders in New York next week.
“I hope the issue will be discussed when the prime minister meets President Musharraf on Sept 14,” Mr Singh told reporters on the sidelines of a fuction to release a book on India’s partition.
Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, who is hosting a dinner for President Gen Pervez Musharraf that evening, assured and agitated parliament last month he would take up the spy issue with the Pakistani leader.
Responding to questions on Gen Musharraf’s remarks on Sarabjit alias Manjit Singh, that he was involved in terrorist acts, Mr Singh said: “We have told them (Pakistan) that he is an Indian national and sentiments are attached to the issue. We hope that he will not be hanged.”
AFP adds: President Pervez Musharraf said on Saturday he had taken no decision yet on the fate of an Indian national sentenced to hang on spying and bombing charges but added he was examining the case.
The Hindu newspaper, quoting unnamed Indian officials, reported earlier this week Pakistan told New Delhi it would not hang Sarabjit Singh and he might even be freed after his sentence sparked protests in India.
Gen Musharraf said in an interview aired on Indian news channel Aaj Tak that no decision had been taken but added the case was under scrutiny.
“This is a serious issue. The man has carried out terrorist attacks and killed people here. Now should I have sympathy towards him?” Gen Musharraf said.
