Pranab takes charge at MEA; Kasuri may visit India soon

Pakistan Foreign Minister Khushid Mehmood Kasuri is likely to visit India after the foreign secretary-level talks in New Delhi, according to sources.

MEA officials said Kasuri would meet Minister for External Affairs Pranab Mukherjee, who took charge today, in late November or early December,

In his first interaction with the media after taking charge, Mukherjee today sent a message to Pakistan and other neighbours that "tension-free" borders should be maintained in the region.

"As we cannot alter our neighbours, it is desirable to live in peace and create a tension-free situation on our borders," he said.

He said peace and tranquillity in the region as well as other parts of the world was "most important" to ensure that India fulfilled its ambition of achieving 9-10 per cent economic growth.

Mukherjee steered clear of the controversy over the proof collected by security agencies about Pakistan's role in the July 11 Mumbai blasts. He said "certain evidence" had been gathered, which would be shared with Islamabad.

To a question on terrorism emanating from Bangladesh, he disagreed with the idea of using force against it.

He said he had already taken up the issue and told Bangladesh that curbing terrorist activities was in its interest also. The matter was even raised with Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia when she visited India in April this year, he said.

Mukherjee received congratulatory messages from world leaders including US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice. Bhutan King Jigme Singye Wangchuk and Bangladesh Foreign Minister Morshed Khan also called him up to convey their greetings.

Mukherjee was allocated the external affairs portfolio yesterday, a year after the post fell vacant when Natwar Singh had to resign when his name appeared in the Volcker Committee report as a "non-contractual" beneficiary in the oil-for-food scam.