Pak 'wants peaceful resolution of all disputes with India'

Pakistan wants the peaceful resolution of all disputes with India and the willingness of Indian leaders to resume dialogue is a step in the right direction, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said on Tuesday.

"Pakistan is a peaceful nation. We are against territorial aggrandisement and seek the negotiated and peaceful resolution of all disputes with India," Gilani said in an address at the National Defence University.

"The Indian leadership's willingness to resume stalled dialogue is a step in the right direction for regional peace and progress," he told an audience that included Defence Minister Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar, Defence Production Minister Abdul Quyyum Khan Jatoi and senior military officials.

Gilani's remarks came ahead of a meeting between the Foreign Secretaries of India and Pakistan to be held in Islamabad on June 24. The meeting will finalise the agenda for talks to be held by the Foreign Ministers in the Pakistani capital on July 15.

Referring to other aspects of Pakistan's foreign policy, Gilani said the country attaches "great importance" to its long-term strategic partnership with the US.

"During my recent visit to the US, I made it clear that Pakistan rightfully expects the US to adopt non-discrimination in terms of civil nuclear deal with Islamabad. We need to explore viable options to meet the energy demands for our socio-economic development," he said.

Gilani said he also told the leadership of the European Union and NATO during recent interactions that Pakistan is looking forward to "greater market access for its exports".

Pakistan's foreign policy is guided by the protection of the country's interests at the regional and international levels, he added.