India's FM on 3-day visit to Pakistan

Indian External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna left for a three-day visit to Pakistan, Friday, to hold talks with his Pakistani counterpart Hina Rabbani Khar on various bilateral issues. The key highlight of Krishna's visit is likely to be the signing of a new liberalised visa agreement between the two countries, which would be a boost for increased people-to-people contact. The Indian Minister is also likely to raise the terrorism issue, particularly bringing to book those behind the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks four years back. The attack was blamed on Pakistan, even as one of the ten terrorists who was caught alive, is facing death sentence in India. New Delhi has given enough evidence proving involvement of elements in Pakistan in the terror attack. During his visit, Krishna will chair the Joint Commission Meeting with Khar, besides calling on Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf. He will also be meeting leaders of certain Pakistani political parties, and also visit Lahore. Ahead of his visit, Krishna said: "I look forward to discussions with Hina Khar which I believe will serve to promote mutual understanding and trust between our two countries. India is of the view that normalisation of relations between India and Pakistan should be a step-by-step process. My visit to Pakistan is one more step in that approach. "We remain committed to resolving all issues with Pakistan through a bilateral dialogue in an atmosphere free from terror and violence. We are convinced that for the normalization of relations between our two countries, a step-by-step graduated approach is the most realistic one," he added in an interview with an English daily. Krishna's visit also assumes significance even as it would set the stage and agenda for Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh's visit to Pakistan later this year at the invitation of President Zardari. The dates of Indian Premier's visit are yet to be finalized.