India has always desired to build peaceful, friendly and cooperative ties with Pakistan, and this policy will be continued by the new government, President Pranab Mukherjee assured Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif who had called on him on Tuesday at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
An official of the President’s Office said Mr. Mukherjee expressed appreciation for the “gracious response” of the Pakistan Prime Minister to the invite from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Reciprocating the Presidents’ call for maintaining peace between the two neighbours, Prime Minister Sharif said he considers it a personal privilege to be in India. He said the Government in both the countries have a strong mandate and that this is a historic moment for both countries to move forward in the relationship and remove the mistrust.
President Mukherjee also said efforts should be made to open up trade and economic co-operation as this is an opportunity and a historic moment which should not be missed.
Meeting with Karzai
During his meeting with Hamid Karzai, President of Afghanistan, President Mukherjee praised his efforts and said the fact that democracy has taken root in Afghanistan is President Karzai's political legacy for the country. He said India's political leadership, cutting across party lines, greatly values Afghanistan's friendship with India and recognises the personal efforts President Karzai has made to develop our strategic partnership.
He assured the Afghan leader that India will remain committed to the development and reconstruction of Afghanistan.
President Karzai described India-Afghanistan relations as strong and deep and said he expects the entire spectrum of relations with India to improve in the coming years.
Welcoming Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, the President of the Republic of Maldives, President Mukherjee said bilateral relations between the two countries are exemplified by close cooperation in a wide range of areas encompassing economic, security, defence and people to people ties. India looks forward to economic growth and development in the region with close integration of India and Maldives economies for mutual benefit.
The President of Maldives said his country will closely co-operate with India on all matters.
For lasting peace in Sri Lanka
During his meeting with Mahindra Rajapaksa, President of Sri Lanka, Mr. Mukherjee said the end of the conflict in Sri Lanka should be utilised to create a lasting political settlement within the framework of a united Sri Lanka. The resumption of dialogue and meaningful devolution of powers would contribute towards this.
The Sri Lankan President reciprocated the sentiments expressed by the President and said inviting leaders from countries of the region was an important message of friendship to the entire region.
Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam, the Prime Minister of Mauritius and Mr. Mukherjee spoke of taking the relations between the two countries forwards to ascend new heights.
Prime Minister of Nepal, Sushil Koirala The briefed Mr. Mukherjee on the Constitution making process in his country. Mr. Mukherjee for his part said as a close friend and neighbour, India stands ready to support the Government and people of Nepal in their historic endeavours.
During his meeting with Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, Speaker of the Parliament of Bangladesh, the President said India attaches the highest importance to its relations with Bangladesh and seeks a deeper and stronger partnership. The Speaker responded that Bangladesh has always attached a different value and priority to relations with India. The President's visit to Bangladesh last year was a landmark visit and the Bangladesh Government is committed to strengthening relations with India even further.
Lyonchhen Tshering Tobgay, Prime Minister of Bhutan also called on the President. Bilateral relations between India and Bhutan are based on shared strategic perceptions, utmost trust, transparency and sensitivity to each other's concerns and vital interests, Mr. Mukherjee told the visiting dignitary. He also said the security concerns of both India and Bhutan are intricately intertwined and indivisible.
