By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has thanked his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh for his New Year greetings and reiterated Islamabad’s desire for friendly sub-continental ties.
“Excellency, I would like to thank you and Mrs Manmohan Singh for the greeting card and your kind wishes on the eve of New Year,” Gilani said in his reply to a greeting card from Manmohan Singh.
“My wife joins me in extending to you and your family our best wishes for your good health and happiness,” Gilani added.
“May I take this opportunity to state that the leadership and people of Pakistan desire friendly and cooperative relationship with India.
“May the New Year bring peace to our region and progress and prosperity to our people,” Gilani said in his message.
Sub-continental relations have hit a new low with India blaming elements from Pakistan for the Nov 26-29 Mumbai attacks that claimed the lives of more than 170 people, including 26 foreigners, and injured more than 300.
India has submitted a dossier that it says contains evidence of the involvement of the Lashkar-e-Taiba terror group in the Mumbai mayhem. Pakistan has termed this mere “information”.
The fresh tension has also halted the peace process between the two countries.