Tuesday, April 12 2005 21:08 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today (Apr 12, 2005) said that he expected a "purposeful" dialogue with Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf during his three-day visit here from April 16, in which issues ranging from Kashmir to further confidence building measures (CMBs) and a common security for the region could figure.

"Though it is not a State visit and an informal one, we are prepared to discuss anything our honoured guest wants to raise including Kashmir, further CMBs and having a common security. We expect a purpose dialogue," he said.

Singh said that efforts were on to build a tradition of more informal contacts between leaders in South Asia.

"We want leaders to travel informally and meet each other to discuss common issues," he said on the sidelines of an investiture ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

To a question whether the Centre was considering further reduction of troops in Jammu and Kashmir, the Prime Minister said, "Nothing is ruled out. But there have to be so many pre-requisites", apparently referring to the turn the ground situation takes.

On the agenda for Cabinet Committee on Security meeting yesterday, Singh said that all issues likely to come up during Musharraf's upcoming visit were discussed at length.

Asked that Musharraf had stated he proposed to raise the Kashmir issue during the talks, Singh said, "We are open to discuss all issues including Kashmir, as this is part of composite dialogue process between the two countries".

Observing that the Pakistani President will be India's "honoured guest", he said he was coming to watch the one-day Indo-Pak cricket match in New Delhi on April 17. "He wanted to come and we are ready to receive him".