'PM held secret talks with Pak army chief'

New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was in secret talks with Pakistani army chief Ashfaq Kiyani through an unofficial envoy ahead of the cricket diplomacy at Mohali, according to 'The Times' of London.

It said the back channel exercise that had been on for 10 months was aimed at ensuring the powerful Pakistani army's backing for the Indo-Pak peace process that had come to a halt after 26/11.

The report talks of an unofficial messenger seeking to test waters and see if Kayani's backing could be ensured to boost ties between the two countries. The Indian foreign office or the Prime Minister's Office has not commented on the report.

\'The Times\' reported that the back channel exercise had been on for 10 months.

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