Nawaz Sharif pledges to develop friendly ties with India

Islamabad: Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday pledged to develop friendly relations with India on the basis of "sovereign equality, mutual respect and commonality of interests".

Greeting India on its 66th Republic Day, Sharif, in a message to Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "We believe that our two Governments can work together towards the development of our countries, the well being of our peoples, and achieving our common goal of peaceful and prosperous South Asia."

"Pakistan remains committed to developing friendly relations with India on the basis of sovereign equality, mutual respect and commonality of interests," Sharif said.

He said it is Pakistan's "sincere wish" to forge friendly and cooperative relations with India.

Pakistan also wishes India progress and prosperity, he said.

"On behalf of the people and the Government of Pakistan, and on my own behalf, I would like to convey our warm felicitations to you, your Government, and the people of India, on the happy occasion of India's 66th Republic Day," the Pakistan Prime Minister said in his message to Modi.

India and Pakistan have been involved in a war of words following New Delhi's cancellation of the Foreign Secretary-level meeting in August last year after Pakistan's envoy in India met Kashmiri separatists ahead of the talks.

Sharif earlier had said that India should not have cancelled the Foreign Secretary-level talks as was agreed upon during his meeting with Prime Minister Modi following his swearing-in at New Delhi in May.