Farooq Abdullah hopes Zardari's India visit will be fruitful

Union Minister and National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah on Saturday hoped that meeting between Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari in New Delhi will thaw the estranged relationship between two nations.

 "I am sure the Prime Minister, within that atmosphere of cordiality, will put the Indian point of view before President Zardari. And I am sure President Zardari will respond to the Prime Minister when he meets. I hope that the meeting is held with the idea of really further bridging India and Pakistan friendship," Farooq told media here.

Farooq further said Pakistan must bring Jamaat-ud -Dawa (JD) chief Hafiz Saeed, on whom United States has put up a 10 million dollars reward.

"I think what is vital for us is those people, who are responsible for those unfortunate deaths that took place and destruction that took place in Mumbai, should be brought to book and I think we believe that kingpin of all that has been Hafiz Saeed," he added
 
During his visit, Zardari will meet Manmohan Singh at his official residence before proceeding to Jaipur and Ajmer. At Ajmer, he will offer prayers at the shrine of the Sufi saint Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti.

Zardari had earlier visited the shrine in 2005, with his wife, former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.

Though Zardari's visit is personal in nature, it is bound to have strong ramifications for the two nations.