Sunday, April 17 2005 19:33 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was today (Apr 17, 2005) invited to Pakistan by President Pervez Musharraf as the two leaders held talks on wide-ranging bilateral issues in New Delhi.

Singh accepted the invitation for visit, dates for which will be worked out through diplomatic channels, External Affairs Ministry spokesman said.

The Prime Minister described as "very positive, fruitful and forward looking" his meeting with Musharraf which got extended by 45 minutes from the scheduled two hours.

Musharraf invites Sonia Gandhi

UPA (United Progressive Alliance) chairperson Sonia Gandhi was also today invited to Pakistan by President Pervez Musharraf when she met him in New Delhi and the invitation was accepted by her.

External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh was present during the 30-minutes Gandhi had with Musharraf discussing various aspects of bilateral relations.

"Important aspects of Indo-Pak relations were discussed during the meeting," the spokesman said.

Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri told reporters that Gandhi, during the meeting, recalled the "great fondness and enthusiasm" with which her son Rahul and daughter Priyanka had been received in Pakistan last year.

Rahul and Priyanka went to Pakistan to watch an Indo-Pak cricket match in March last year.

Gandhi did not speak to the mediapersons.