PM, Indian counterpart to meet in Beijing on Friday

Updated at: 0243 PST, Thursday, October 23, 2008
BEIJING: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani and his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh are scheduled to meet here on Friday on the sidelines of Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM7) summit.

This will be an important informal interaction between the two south Asian leaders to discuss wide-ranging matters of bilateral interest in the background of on-going composite dialogue between the two countries.

A senior Pakistani official told media that the two leaders will avail the opportunity, while attending the summit meeting to have a brief review of the progress being made to promote understanding and cooperation for resolving their disputes including issue of Jammu and Kashmir.

According to a tentative programme, the two leaders will meet at the Great Hall of the People in the afternoon, following the opening session of ASEM7 summit.

The other engagements of Prime Minister during his 2-day stay in Chinese capital will be his sidelines meetings with other world leaders who will be here for the summit including Prime Minister of Malaysia, Prime Minister of Italy and German Chancellor.

Prime Minister Gilani is also likely to have brief interaction with Chinese leaders, President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao.