Ansari, who is attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), also met Maldivian President Mohammad Nasheed and Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan. The meetings took place as the Heads of States and Governments of the 54-nation bloc came together for a Commonwealth leaders` retreat. It was not immediately known what transpired in Ansari`s meeting with Gilani, but sources said the meetings were largely "informal".
The CHOGM declaration on food security as well as the Empowered Persons Group (EPG) report that made 106 recommendations, including a human rights commissioner for the Commonwealth and a new charter of values, were discussed at the retreat. The 11-member EPG chaired by former Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi was also invited for a retreat lunch of the leaders for an informal interaction.