NAM summit: Secretary-level talks may be revived

HAVANA: PM Manmohan Singh would be meeting Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf here on Saturday amid indications he might agree to revival of foreign secretary-level talks in exchange for a promise of a sincere attempt to clamp down on terror groups operating from territory under Islamabad's control.
The talks between foreign secretaries, which had been scheduled for July, were put off indefinitely after the terrorist attack on Mumbai's suburban trains.Pakistan has since been pressing for their resumption.
Singh, however, is likely to insist on "credible" assurances from the General about steps to restrain terrorist outfits which have used Pakistan-controlled areas to launch operations against India.
The PM hinted as much on his way from Brasilia. Elaborating on the agenda of his meeting with Musharraf, Singh said the focus would be on terrorism. He said, "All issues related to control of terrorism will figure in our discussion. I am meeting him on the sidelines of the NAM conference. So I will have limited time and President Musharraf also has limited time. I can't promise you that I am going to discuss each and every problem around."
The PM said nuclear installations in both countries would be discussed, as with both nations being nuclear powers there was an obligation to chart the path of peace. He said, "We are conscious of our own responsibilities in safeguarding our sensitive installations and I believe there are also arrangements for India and Pakistan to exchange data about their nuclear installations. Therefore, we both recognise that this is a sensitive matter and there is an obligation to work together."
There were also indications that the meeting might be followed by a joint statement. Responding to a pointed question on such a possibility, Singh said, "That is neither ruled out nor ruled in."