India has political will to transform ties: Singh

NEW DELHI (Agencies) - Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said the South Asian nation wants to build close ties of friendship and partnership with neighbouring Pakistan.

“The ushering in of democracy in Pakistan opens new opportunities for us to work together to bring the fruits of peace, prosperity and development to our region by developing the close and cooperative ties that should be normal between two neighbours,” Singh said in a message to Asif Ali Zardari, who was elected president of Pakistan on Saturday.

The Indian government wants to build ties ‘between our countries that respond to the aspirations of our two peoples’, Singh said in a statement issued by his office.

Singh congratulated Zardari on his election as Pakistan president, calling it a chance to transform relations between the rival nations.

“We have the political will to work with you to seize these opportunities and transform our relations. In your new office, you will find a friend in India.”