India on Sunday said it is prepared to hold technical discussions with Pakistan on the contentious Baglihar hydropower project over the Chenab river in Jammu and Kashmir [Images].
During his talks with Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf [Images], Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh [Images] sought to allay Islamabad's apprehensions on the issue and "unequivocally" stated India's commitment to abide by the parameters laid down by the 1960 Indus Water Treaty, Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran said.
He said New Delhi reaffirmed that it had "no intention of harming the interests of Pakistan" and said if Islamabad was ready for technical discussions, "we are prepared."
"The Pakistan president was thankful for the assurances," Saran said.
Following the failure of talks early this year, Pakistan had moved the World Bank for appointment of neutral experts but India has insisted on solving the issue bilaterally.
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