A south Asian business summit has ended in the Bangladeshi capital, Dhaka, with the Indian and Pakistani prime ministers, still committed to political dialogue but making no progress on key disputes. The Pakistani Prime Minister, Mr Nawaz Sharif, described his Indian counterpart as a personal friend who is committed to resolving problems between the two countries. However, officials from Indian and Pakistan said there were still difficulties in moving the process of dialogue forward. All three countries issued a joint declaration at the end of the one-day summit saying discussions among business leaders and officials had been very constructive. BBC Correspondent Francis Harrison reports:

Officials said the meeting between the Indian and Pakistani prime ministers had been another opportunity to build on the personal raport the two leaders have established.

In their private discussions on the sidelines of the summit, the two prime ministers reviewed the progress they've made on stregthening what they call, people to people level contacts.

In particular they looked at the record in building cultural and business contacts and easing visa restrictions. But Pakistani officials said the problem of how to address the Kashmir issue, still remains as an obstacle to progress.

The closing statement of the summit emphasised the willingness of all three countries to move forward on the economic front. It identified several areas of cooperation; improving communications in the region; reducing trade barriers and sharing natural resources and it said initiatives should be taken to follow up on the summits recommendations.

There were few immediate results but many expressions of goodwill and friendship. The Bangladeshi Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, said the summit could be a milestone in the history of the three nations. The fact that it took place at all is a step forward but it will need much more effort to fashion the region into a united trading block.
 

Back to top | BBC News Home | BBC Homepage	©