According to an official handout, Mr Sharif assured the prime minister of his party’s full support on Pakistan’s stance and the need for resolving all outstanding issues between the two countries through talks. A PML-Q press release said Chaudhry Shujaat had assured that he would extend his unqualified support to all steps that he would take in the interest of the country.

He said that improvement of relations with India was in the best interest of people of the two countries.

According to an MQM press release, Mr Hussain during his conversation with Mr Gilani said that ties with all neighbouring countries should be improved.

He said India should hold talks with Pakistan with sincerity.

The summit in Egypt is expected to focus on global financial crisis and international peace.

Prior to the Gilani-Singh meeting, Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir and his Indian counterpart Shivshankar Menon will meet to finalise the agenda for the two leaders’ meeting.

The prime minister will be accompanied by ministers Qamar Zaman Kaira, Mir Hazar Khan Bijarani, Azam Khan Swati and Nawabzada Malik Amad Khan.