NEW DELHI : (Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today expressed hope of visiting Pakistan in next four months and said circumstances were “not appropriate” to visit that country so far.
Addressing a press conference, Singh was asked why he never visited Pakistan in last nearly ten years of his Prime Ministership.
“I would very much like to go to Pakistan. I was born in a village which is now part of West Punjab but as Prime Minister of the country I should go to visit Pakistan when conditions are appropriate to achieve solid results.
“I thought of it many times but ultimately I felt that circumstances are not appropriate for my visit. I still have not given up hope of going to Pakistan before I complete my tenure as Prime Minister,” Singh said while addressing a press conference.
On another query about reports that India and Pakistan were on the verge of a historic deal on Jammu and Kashmir, the Prime Minister said,”I have tried to improve relations with all our neighbours to the best of my ability and on one time it appeared that important breakthrough was in sight.
“Events in Pakistan for example that General Pervez Musharraf (former President) had to make way for a different set up. I think that led to the process not moving further….”
However, he added that he still believes that good relations between India and Pakistan are very essential for the sub-continent to realise its full development potential to get rid of poverty, ignorance and disease which have caused inevitable loss to millions and millions of people. (AGENCIES)
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