Pakistan visit fruitful, says Krishna

Foreign Minister S.M. Krishna described as "fruitful" his three-day visit to Pakistan that he wrapped-up Sunday.

Talking to the media after arriving at Allama Iqbal International Airport for a day-long visit to Lahore, Krishna said he and his Pakistani counterpart Hina Rabbani Khar had signed pacts on visa liberalization and cultural promotion, which would help promote bilateral ties.

He arrived in this capital of the Punjab province on the final leg of his visit that began Friday. Indian High Commissioner Sharat Sabharwal was present.

Krishna said the dialogue between the Indian and Pakistani leadership would be fruitful as Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the people of India wanted peaceful relations with Pakistan.

He said the peaceful ties between between the neighbouring countries would be helpful for the prosperity of the region.

Krishna met Punjab province Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif as well as Punjab Governor Muhammad Latif Khan Khosa.

Shahbaz Sharif said India and Pakistan should discuss all outstanding issues. The two also discussed measures to enhance trade through the Atari-Wagah land border.

While in Lahore, the Indian external affairs minister visited Data Durbar Sufi shrine and the Minar-e-Pakistan, a tall monumental minaret.

At the latter, where he was the first Indian minister to visit, Krishna wrote in the visitors book: "I am happy to visit Pakistan. I wish the people of Pakistan peace and progress. I believe that the two sovereign countries - India and Pakistan - can and need to live respectfully and in peace, as good neighbours.

"Both the countries also need to work closely together to ensure a brighter future for their people. To this end, India remains committed to build a relationship of trust and mutually beneficial all-round cooperation with Pakistan."

The minister arrived in Lahore from Islamabad where he met his Pakistani counterpart Hina Rabbani Khar Saturday. An agreement on a liberalised visa regime was signed by him and Interior Minister Rehman Malik.

The Indian external affairs minister, who reached Islamabad Friday, flew back to India Sunday evening.

(Jaideep Sarin can be contacted at jaideep.s@ians.in)