Prime Minister Shaukat held a meeting with his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh at the latter's residence here, for 50 minutes, before the start of the second day Saarc Summit.
After the meeting, Shaukat told a press conference at Taj Maan Singh Hotel, where he stayed with his entourage, that his meeting with Indian Prime Minister was very fruitful and they discussed all important, bilateral, regional and international issues.
He said that IPI is a major project and Pakistan and India are equally committed to take it forward on fast track basis, and complete it in the shortest possible time. He said Indian Oil Minister Murli Deora had held a detailed meeting with the senior officials of his ministry and discussed different issues relating to the IPI project.
The Prime Minster said that he also discussed progress in the composite dialogue process which, of course, covered the core issue of Kashmir. He expressed confidence that the composite dialogue process was going to take Pakistan and India to a logical conclusion for amicable solution to Sir Creak, Siachen and Kashmir.
Shaukat told a questioner that work on the Kashmir issue was in progress at different levels, which also include backdoor channels. He also announced to reciprocate Indian Prime Minister's assurance for release of 540 prisoners who at present are in Indian jails by releasing Indian fishermen who were caught by Pakistan authorities for violating its territorial waters.
He said Indian Prime Minister had assured him to consider Pakistani prisoners on case-to-case basis. He added that Indian Prime Minister gave an assurance to provide Pakistan investigation progress in Sumjhota Express blast case which killed many Pakistani travellers.
He said Pakistan and India would hold Secretary level talks on Defence-related controversial issues. The two Prime Ministers also agreed that Pakistan and India would reciprocate each other for opening bank branches and also further facilitate people-to-people contact.
The Prime Minister added that he also held a meeting with Bangladesh administrator who is representing that country at Saarc, and discussed different issues of bilateral interest. He said Pakistan would give $10 million for import of food items, probably wheat.