Worried by the current turbulent political scenario in the country emanating due to the government’s failure to table the controversial National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) in parliament, Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani is unlikely to participate in the forthcoming Commonwealth Summit to be held in Port of Spain later this month.

“The Prime Minister will possibly not be attending the summit,” The Dawn quoted Gilani’s close aide, as saying.

The summit, which will be held from November 27 to 29, has aroused immense interest among diplomatic circles both in India and Pakistan, as it was believed that the congress of some of the leading world leaders in the Caribbean would once again see Gilani and his Indian counterpart Dr. Manmohan Singh share a common platform, which would thus work to soothe the heightened tension between the two neighbours.

During his recent Kashmir visit, Singh offering an olive branch to Pakistan, said New Delhi is willing to talk to anyone who has any meaningful ideas for promoting peace and development in Kashmir.

"I had also said that I was ready to discuss all issues with Pakistan. I did so not because of weakness but from a position of strength. We had the most fruitful and productive discussions ever with the Government of Pakistan during the period 2004-07 when militancy and violence began to decline. Intensive discussions were held on all issues including on a permanent resolution of the issue of Jammu and Kashmir,” Singh had said.

Singh’s remarks were seen as a major shift in India’s stand, which has until now rejected all offers from Islamabad to resume the bilateral peace talks until Pakistan stops harbouring terror against it.

... contd.