Kathmandu: The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) process should not be held hostage to bilateral issues, Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri has said and expressed confidence that Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee would take part in the 12th summit of the regional grouping to be held in Islamabad in January.

"They (India) will be accorded a warm welcome there," Kasuri, who is in Kathmandu on a two-day visit to extend a letter of invitation to Nepalese Prime Minister Surya Bahadur Thapa for the SAARC meeting, told reporters.

Kasuri said the entire SAARC process should not be held hostage over bilateral issues. "It has been clearly mentioned in the SAARC Charter that the summit should be held every year," he said adding, "The Charter also does not allow any country to impose any pre-condition for the summit."

The Pakistani government will do all it can to facilitate the holding of the summit and to create a cordial atmosphere for its success, he said.

During his meeting with the Nepalese Prime Minister on September 12, matters relating to giving a boost to the SAARC process, besides bilateral matters were also discussed.

Kasuri also had an audience with King Gyanendra at the Narayanhiti Royal Palace.

PTI