PM Nawaz Sharif says committed to cooperative ties with India

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif today said Pakistan is committed to friendly and cooperative ties with India to ensure the progress and prosperity of the region.

In a message sent to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh ahead of India's Republic Day, Sharif said his government is committed to forging friendly and cooperative relations, which "we believe are in our mutual interest and essential for the progress and prosperity of the peoples of our region".

Sharif extended warm greetings on the occasion of the Republic Day and said, "We wish you good health and happiness and to the people of India continued progress and prosperity."

In a separate message sent to President Pranab Mukherjee, Pakistan President Mamnoon Hussain conveyed his greetings ahead of the Republic Day.

"In wishing the people of India progress and prosperity, it is our sincere wish to build mutually beneficial, friendly and cooperative relations between our two countries," he said.