Nab terrorist Saeed to improve relations, PM tells Zardari

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh made it clear to Pakistan's visiting President Asif Ali Zardari on Sunday that bilateral ties will really improve only after Pakistan takes action against terrorists targeting India - particularly Hafiz Mohammed Saeed, said to be the mastermind behind the 26/11 terrorists attacks in Mumbai, on whom the US recently declared a $10 million bounty.

Singh told Zardari that it was imperative to bring the perpetrators of the 26/11 terror attack to justice, foreign secretary Ranjan Mathai told reporters after both leaders had a 40-minute ''friendly'' talk.

''The problem of terrorism is a major issue by which the Indian people will judge progress in the bilateral relationship,'' Mathai quoted Singh telling Zardari.

Speaking to the media, both Singh and Zardari termed the meeting ''constructive'' and ''fruitful''. They have agreed to move forward step by step while addressing issues such as Kashmir, Siachen and Sir Creek, among other matters.

Singh said he would make an official visit to Pakistan soon, the latest small gesture of reconciliation between the countries. Singh gave no time frame for his visit, which would be his first since coming to power in 2004.

Zardari and his son Bilawal, along with 20 guests, lunched with Singh, external affairs minister S M Krishna, home minister P Chidambaram, and BJP leaders L K Advani and Sushma Swaraj at Singh's Race Course Road residence.