Signals from Nawaz positive, likely to improve ties: Indian PM

Published May 31, 2013
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. — File photo
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. — File photo

NEW DELHI: Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday said signals coming from Nawaz Sharif, chief of Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N), were positive and therefore likely to improve relations between India and Pakistan.

Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, Singh said his government wanted cordial ties with Pakistan and hoped that all outstanding issues between the two countries could be resolved in a peaceful manner.

The Indian premier said his government stood by its pledge of resolving all issues involving Pakistan in a peaceful manner, adding that the same had also been expressed by Sharif.

Responding to a question, Singh said that when results of the May 11 elections were being announced, he had called Sharif to congratulate the latter over his party's success in the polls.

The Indian prime minister further said he had invited the PML-N chief to visit India and that Sharif had also invited him to Pakistan.

"I have an invitation to visit Pakistan from its government," Singh told reporters, adding that no final decision had yet been taken on the visit and neither had any dates been decided.

"However, we would surely want to have cordial ties with Pakistan in capacity of a neighbouring state," Singh said.

Opinion

Editorial

IMF’s projections
Updated 18 Apr, 2024

IMF’s projections

The problems are well-known and the country is aware of what is needed to stabilise the economy; the challenge is follow-through and implementation.
Hepatitis crisis
18 Apr, 2024

Hepatitis crisis

THE sheer scale of the crisis is staggering. A new WHO report flags Pakistan as the country with the highest number...
Never-ending suffering
18 Apr, 2024

Never-ending suffering

OVER the weekend, the world witnessed an intense spectacle when Iran launched its drone-and-missile barrage against...
Saudi FM’s visit
Updated 17 Apr, 2024

Saudi FM’s visit

The government of Shehbaz Sharif will have to manage a delicate balancing act with Pakistan’s traditional Saudi allies and its Iranian neighbours.
Dharna inquiry
17 Apr, 2024

Dharna inquiry

THE Supreme Court-sanctioned inquiry into the infamous Faizabad dharna of 2017 has turned out to be a damp squib. A...
Future energy
17 Apr, 2024

Future energy

PRIME MINISTER Shehbaz Sharif’s recent directive to the energy sector to curtail Pakistan’s staggering $27bn oil...