Confronted over the Inter Services Intelligence's role in the Indian embassy bombing in Kabul, Pakistan Premier Yousuf Raza Gilani has said he addressed "various apprehensions" in bilateral ties during his meeting with counterpart Manmohan Singh, with the two sides displaying eagerness to resolve all outstanding issues, including Kashmir.
"I said that Pakistan wants to resolve all bilateral issues, including that of Kashmir, and he (Manmohan Singh) told us that they too have the same intentions and desire," Gilani, who met Dr Singh on the sidelines of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation summit in Colombo, told reporters at the airport in Islamabad on his return late on Sunday night.
Gilani said he had "clearly discussed various apprehensions" with Dr Singh, who also referred to the suicide attack on India's Kabul mission, and told the Pakistani prime minister that such incidents create tension.
The two leaders met in the backdrop of serial bomb attacks in two Indian cities and skirmishes along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir, amid talks that the peace process between the two countries was "under stress".
The issue of terrorism dominated the eight nation regional summit.
Gilani said his meetings with Dr Singh and Afghan President Hamid Karzai on the sidelines of the SAARC summit in Colombo had helped prepare ground for nurturing cordial relations with all of Pakistan's neighbours.
He also said his meeting with Karzai had helped reduce tension with Afghanistan.
"The visit has helped in (reducing) tension and dispelling many apprehensions and misunderstandings with Afghanistan," he said, adding he was assured in his meeting with Karzai that Afghanistan is ready to remove differences with Pakistan.
More from rediff