Manmohan calls Pak PM, stresses need to expedite peace process

In a telephonic conversation, Manmohan Singh expressed hope that under Gillani, Indo-Pak relations would grow to become the best that the two countries have ever enjoyed.

The conversation was preceded by a letter in which Manmohan Singh reaffirmed India's commitment to strengthening friendship and cooperation with Pakistan. "We see a stable, prosperous and democratic Pakistan as being in the interest of India and the region," Manmohan Singh wrote.

"There is a strong public sentiment in both our countries in favour of accelerating the peace process and establishing a cooperative framework for our bilateral relations. There is a common desire to establish a neighbourhood of peace and progress based on greater linkages between our two people, trust and mutual understanding," the PM said in the letter.

Urging Gillani to build on the initiatives taken by his predecessors Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto, Singh said he looked forward to working closely with him "towards an objective that I am confident you share".

"Leading personalities of the coalition that will form your Government have been strong advocates of friendly ties between our two countries and have made important contributions to the peace process. I hope very much that we can build upon the progress already achieved and work expeditiously, through the dialogue process, towards agreed solutions of pending issues," he said. The swearing-in of a democratic Government in Pakistan has set the stage for the resumption of the composite dialogue between the two countries, which were stuck because of political uncertainty in Pakistan.

There is a long-standing invitation from Islamabad for Singh to visit Pakistan and sources said on Tuesday that New Delhi was inclined to accept the invitation now that a popular elected Government was in place.

Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon is due to travel to Pakistan in the near future in connection with the composite dialogue process. A decision on his itinerary is being worked out. It is expected to be followed by a visit by External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee.