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Aziz meets Hurriyat leaders,
will continue peace efforts 

What is India News Service,  Wednesday, 24 November 2004, 2000 hrs IST

India and Pakistan have agreed to press ahead with their composite dialogue, the External Affairs Ministry spokesman said soon after the Pakistan Prime Minister, Shaukat Aziz, met the External Affairs Minister, Natwar Singh, this evening. 

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh telephoned Aziz soon after he arrived and welcomed him to New Delhi. Singh said he looked forward to meeting Aziz tomorrow. 

Aziz, who flew in from the Maldives on Monday, told Pakistani presspersons on board his special aircraft, "I wish to have sustainable peace in South Asia and also to promote objectives of the SAARC [South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation]." He hoped that his visit would augur well for the peace process between India and Pakistan and that the two countries would move from "tactical" to "strategic" issues, the official Associated Press of Pakistan news agency quoted him as saying.

Hurriyat leaders meet Aziz: The entire spectrum of separatist leadership from Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday met visiting Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and exchanged views on President Musharraf's latest proposal on Kashmir and Hurriyat unity.

Kashmiri groups oppose division: Kashmiris, including politicians, lawyers and religious figures, on Tuesday opposed the division of their disputed state in any future settlement as they spoke to a group of visiting journalists from India and the occupied Kashmir.

Aziz hopes talks will move to new level: Kashmir dialogue without hesitation: Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz arrived in Delhi on Tuesday on the last leg of his three-nation tour as the Saarc chairman amid hopes that his talks with the Indian leadership, aimed at sustainable peace in South Asia, would move from tactical to strategic.

Pervez pitches for Sonia: Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf wants Congress president Sonia Gandhi to take a more “proactive role” in thrashing out a consensus in India on the Kashmir dispute

'Social security scheme for aged in rural areas faulty': Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Meira Kumar on Tuesday hit out at the flagship social security scheme for older persons living below poverty line in rural areas, saying it is not in line with the National Policy for Older Persons.

War doctrine emphasises deception: With battlefield transparency improving due to advances in technology, the Army's new war doctrine lays more emphasis on deception over the traditional mode of surprise during war. 

Asian Pope a possibility: The Roman Catholic Church has come to a stage where the possibility of a non-European or even an Asian Pope cannot be ruled out, Cardinal Telesphore Placidus Toppo, the first tribal in Asia to be included in the College of Cardinals that elects the Pope, has said.

IE institutes Ramnath Goenka India Press Photo Awards 2004: The Indian Express group has instituted the award as a part of the group’s ongoing series of events to commemorate the centenary year of its visionary founder Ramnath Goenka.
  

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States

Antony gets charge of Karnataka: Congress president Sonia Gandhi has started the process of AK Antony's rehabilitation after she was compelled to remove him as Kerala Chief Minister a few months ago. Although Mr Antony has not been appointed a full-fledged general secretary, he has been made AICC incharge of Karnataka.

Bihar abductors demand 10 crore: To prevent prisoners running their extortion business from inside the jail, the Court has ordered the transfer of jailors who have been at the same jail for more than three years.

Charas smugglers operate in guise of pilgrims: The arrest of two youths, one from Sangrur and the other from Talwara, both in Punjab, has brought into focus a new mode of charas smuggling in the state.

CM urges Rajkumar to drop stir plan: Exhibitors and the Kannada film industry have stuck to their respective stands on the moratorium. Yesterday, Rajkumar had announced he would lead an agitation.

UP leads in women’s emancipation: A panchayat of the poverty-stricken Mallah community in UP has passed a verdict on widow re-marriage that Indian soicety at large could do well to emulate.

 
Neighbours

Bhutan king plans rare visit: King Jigme Singye Wangchuk of Bhutan has decided to come to Delhi for consultations on issues of mutual interest and concern days after Manmohan Singh offered talks with Northeast rebels, particularly the Ulfa.


View from abroad

Musharraf to meet Bush on Dec 4: President Gen Pervez Musharraf is scheduled to meet President George W. Bush at the White House on Dec 4.


Overall

Aziz arrived in Delhi: The Pakistan prime minister met a number of Kashmir separatists. He is meeting Manmohan Singh tomorrow.

Pontiff was booked again: This time the police say they want him for attempt to murder.

Musharaff will meet Bush: He is making a Washinton visit and will talk to the US president on December 4.