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Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, May 23, 2004

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National

Pakistan leaders congratulate Manmohan

By Amit Baruah

NEW DELHI, MAY 22. The Pakistan President and the Prime Minister, Pervez Musharraf and Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali, have congratulated the new Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, and hoped that the ongoing process of composite dialogue between the two countries would be productive.

In separate messages to Dr. Singh this evening, they sounded a positive note. Welcoming the recent statement made by the Mr. Singh on improved relations with Pakistan.

In his message, Gen. Musharraf said: "Please accept my heartfelt congratulations on your assuming the office of Prime Minister of India. We, in Pakistan, welcome your Government's resolve to improve relations between our two countries. I wish to assure you of our sincere commitment to find a just and peaceful solution of all outstanding disputes, including Jammu and Kashmir.

"We also look forward to further strengthening regional cooperation under the aegis of SAARC. I wish you great success in the fulfilment of your important responsibilities as well as progress and prosperity to the people of India. Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration," Gen. Musharraf said in the message conveyed by the Pakistan High Commission to the External Affairs Ministry.

Mr. Jamali, for his part, wished Dr. Singh every success in the discharge of his important responsibilities. "We are confident under your leadership Pakistan-India relations will continue to develop and the process of composite talks for the resolution of all outstanding issues, including Jammu and Kashmir, will be productive.

"I look forward to working with you towards realisation of our common goals of assuring peace and progress for the people of South Asia," Mr. Jamali added.

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