LAHORE - Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani Wednesday expressed his satisfaction over ongoing dialogue proceedings with India before his departure for Maldives where he will attend 17th SAARC conference starting from today (Thursday). Pakistan and India have a dialogue procedure under which everything is going on in the right direction, he told the media at old Lahore airport just before his departure. The two-day conference would conclude on November 11. The premier said that on the sidelines of the conference, he would be meeting Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh besides heads of states of other SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation). Gilani was of the view that following the restart of talks between Pakistan and India, the importance and effectiveness of SAARC forum had increased manifolds. He said the organisation had earlier lost its significance due to tense relations between the major component countries of the regional group. Replying to a question, the PM said that member countries would focus on the conferences theme, 'Building the Bridges by discussing all possible ways and means of mutual cooperation through rail, road and sea routes. Gilani further stated that present government had been attaching much importance to the SAARC forum, and an ample proof of which was that he never missed any SAARC conference since becoming the prime minister. Gilani said the commencement of 17th SAARC conference showed the determination and will of the member states to work together for the betterment of the region. The prime minister is leading a 12-member delegation to attend the conference. Interior Minister Rehman Malik, Federal Communications Minister Arbab Alamgir and Federal Minister for Ports and Shipping, Babar Khan Ghori are part of the PMs entourage.