Delhi committed to peace, Natwar assures Shaukat

External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh spent most of the day today meeting acquaintances and friends from his days as head of the Indian mis...

External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh spent most of the day today meeting acquaintances and friends from his days as head of the Indian mission here. He also met Pakistan PM-designate Shaukat Aziz, whom he requested to visit India when he tours all South Asian countries as chairman of SAARC.

Singh also conveyed to Aziz the UPA Government’s commitment to the peace process. ‘‘He had certain doubts and apprehensions over whether the Government under PM Manmohan Singh will continue the peace process. I told him that not only have we continued it, we are taking it further.’’

Aziz is said to have evinced keen interest in the Indian elections. During their conversation, Singh underscored the point that in a short while, both India and Pakistan will have leaders well-versed in economic affairs as their prime ministers.

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‘‘I told him that I am completely ignorant about economics. But with Manmohan Singh as the Prime Minister, these issues are well taken care of. In fact, Aziz has said he considers Manmohan Singh as his guru.’’

Singh’s started his day with a visit to Aga Shahi, a renowned diplomat and former foreign minister. Then he lunched with Sahibzada Yakub Khan, again a former minister. He later met Shahrayar Khan, the Pakistan Cricket Board chief, who is again an old acquaintance. He will meet Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf on Friday. When asked what he would discuss with Musharraf, he said, ‘‘Foreign ministers do not set the agenda when they meet presidents.’’

By the book

External Affairs Minister K. Natwar Singh took some time out this evening to visit Saeed Book Agency, one of the largest bookshops here. Singh noted that the shop had several books on India and on Jawaharlal Nehru and Mahatma Gandhi, which he felt were indeed ‘‘positive’’. The owner also dug out a copy of Singh’s own book on the Patiala royalty titled The Magnificent Maharaja.

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