Lahore, Jan 14 : President Asif Ali Zardari has said that the resolution of all outstanding issues between India and Pakistan is vital for durable peace in the region, and called for a resumption of the composite dialoguethat was broken off after the terrorist attacks in Mumbai in November last year.

Zardari expressed these views during a lunch hosted for TERI University Director General Dr RK Pachauri at the Presidency, the Daily Times reported.

Indian High Commissioner Satyabrata Pal, Federal Minister for Environment Hameedullah Afridi, Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Assef Ali, Planning Commission Adviser for Science and Technology Ishfaq Ahmed, Water Resources Special Adviser Kamal Majidullah, former WAPDA chairman Shamsul Mulk and former information minister Javed Jabbar were also present.

Issues related to energy cooperation, science and technology and environment also came under discussion.

Zardari said greater bilateral cooperation in the fields would only be possible if outstanding issues were resolved first. (ANI)