Pak President Zardari to visit India today

Islamabad, Apr 8(ANI): Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari will arrive in India on Sunday for a day-long trip to Ajmer and to attend a luncheon being hosted in his honour by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

It will be Zardari's first visit to India as Pakistan's president, and will provide a chance to promote bilateral ties between both sides.

"President Asif Ali Zardari will leave for Ajmer Shareef on Sunday for 'Ziarat' and to offer prayers at the shrine of Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti and will return the same day," The News quoted a Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson, as saying.

He said that the President's delegation to New Delhi would consist of Chairman of Pakistan People's Party and his son Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Pakistan Interior Minister Rehman Malik, Pakistan Foreign Secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani and his personal and security staff.

"Although the visit is private, but the two leaders will discuss all the issues and it will contribute towards achieving the President's vision to promote intra-regional peace and prosperity in this part of the world," he added.

According to diplomatic sources, important bilateral issues, including Jammu Kashmir, Siachen, Sir Creek, visa liberalisation, trade, water and regional situation could be discussed at the luncheon meeting, which will pave the way for augmenting bilateral ties.

Welcoming Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari's day- long visit to India, Congress party on Saturday said India always wanted to maintain positive and good relations with Pakistan.

"He (Zardari) is coming here on a private visit. India always wanted to maintain positive and good relation with all its neighbors including Pakistan but at the same time wants that no terrorism should be there," Congress spokesperson Rashid Alvi said. (ANI)