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G8 ministers to discuss Indo-Pak ties

Indo-Pakistan relations is among a host of issues to be discussed at a meeting of foreign ministers of the Group of Eight (G8) industrialised nations, which began in Japan today to prepare a blueprint for a July 21-23 summit of leaders.

Today's meeting is tipped to be more of a political tool in the hands of the world's most powerful countries than an economic forum it originally was intended to be.

According to a G8 official, the meeting placed the world under its scrutiny as every important issue is likely to be taken up -- from local conflict prevention with small arms control to regional tension, disarmament to terrorism, a strict nuclear regime and United Nations reforms.

Issues specifically identified include India-Pakistan relations, Indonesia, and North Korea, among Asian hotspots.

The ministers will issue a statement tomorrow before wrapping up talks ahead of the three-day Okinawa summit.

The G8 comprises the United States, Japan, Britain, France, Germany, Canada and Russia.

Foreign ministers of Bangladesh, South Africa, Nigeria, Colombia and Thailand are attending the meet to represent the developing world.

At today's meeting, the ministers focussed on ways to avert wars in the Third World through economic aid and social welfare programmes, to stop illegal trade, such as diamond trafficking in Sierra Leone, and to crack down on terrorism and organised crime.

French Minister Hubert Vedrine asked his counterparts "to go beyond generalities" by taking steps toward achieving these goals.

PTI

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