India, Pak must work hard to normalise relations: PM

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday night said the new political order is yet to take shape in Pakistan but emphasised that the two countries must work hard and sincerely to normalise relations and deal with all outstanding problems.

"I have always maintained that our two countries need to have best possible relations. Whenever an opportunity arises, we will take full advantage of those opportunities to improve our relations," he told accompanying journalists on his return from a two-nation five-day trip to Nigeria and South Africa.

"I think the new political order in Pakistan is yet to take shape, but very sincerely, I believe that the destinies of the people of India and Pakistan are intertwined," he said when referred to the changes taking place in the neighbouring country.

He said the two countries must work hard and sincerely to normalise ties and deal with all outstanding problems that have "bedevilled the relations".

Singh was replying to a question about his recent comments that the Indo-Pak peace process may have had a setback in the wake of the recent political developments in Pakistan and he would wait for the new situation to evolve.