No third party in Indo-Pak talks, Obama tells PM

Prime minister Manmohan Singh leaves on Thursday for the Commonwealth Heads of Government (CHOGM) conference in Trinidad. Pakistani foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi will attend the conference and will probably have discussions with his Indian counterpart. Here are excerpts of the Singh’s free-wheeling press conference in Washington.

Talks with Pakistan on sidelines of CHOGM
We cannot simply wish away Pakistan. When politicians meet we discuss things. As of now nothing is planned.

Nuclear deal
We agreed on the early and full implementation of our civil nuclear cooperation pact. It paves the way for transfers of high technology items to India. At the highest level I have been assured that the reprocessing pact will get done. There are some minor problems. They are not insurmountable. We can sort them out in a few weeks.

On China
President Barack Obama has assured me that there was nothing in the joint statement he signed with president Hu Jintao to suggest that any third party should mediate in India and Pakistan’s bilateral relationship.
We discussed our border problems with China (with President Obama). But we did not seek any help from the United States in reviewing this. I am sure we will be able to resolve this peacefully with China.

Liberhan report leak
The leak should not have happened. We regret that it did. I will enquire how it who is responsible for the leak. It all happened when I was away. After returning to I will discuss the matter with the home minister and others and institute an enquiry.