Wednesday, May 4 2005 09:48 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Islamabad: Pakistan yesterday (May 3, 2005) said India should cooperate with the World Bank in appointment of a neutral expert for resolution of differences over the Baglihar hydropower project to avoid adding new "irritants" to the relations between the two countries.

Talking to a delegation of an NGO from Kolkata, called the 'Bengal Initiative', Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri expressed hope that there would be "no addition to the list of irritants".

He hoped India, in pursuance of the Indus Water Treaty, would cooperate with the bank for resolution of the issue, a press release in Islamabad said.

He affirmed Pakistan's commitment to the ongoing Composite Dialogue Process and reiterated its resolve to find a durable peace with India through the resolution of all outstanding issues including Kashmir, the release said.

Emphasising the role of civil society organisations in furthering the process, he sought pro-active role by the Bengal Initiative to promote dialogue, which augurs well for the people of the two countries and the entire region.

Kasuri told the 22-member delegation led by Amiya Gooptu, Chairman of the Bengal Initiative, that Pakistan has already welcomed India's decision regarding the gas pipeline projects.

Briefing the team about President Pervez Musharraf's recent visit to India, Kasuri stressed that there should be efforts from the two sides to address all issues with sincerity, flexibility and courage.

The meeting, which lasted more than one hour, also included a comprehensive session of Q&A by the members of the Bengal Initiative.