Sharif comes with a message of peace

Wants good relations with India, to pick up threads that he and Vajpayee had left off in 1999

New Delhi: Arriving here with a "message of peace", Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday said that he intends to pick up the threads with India's new leader Narendra Modi from where he and then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee left off in 1999.

Pakistan Prime Minister said both governments have a strong mandate and this could help in "turning a new page in our relations". Sharif will have a bilateral meeting with Modi on Tuesday during which the two sides are expected to discuss ways to enhance cooperation. "This is the same BJP's Prime Minister Vajpayee for whom I have the greatest of respect. I intend taking up threads from where Vajpayee and I left off in 1999," he was quoted as saying by NDTV. The Pakistan leader also said that this was a chance to reach out to each other while noting that no two nations have ever possessed so much cultural and traditional similarities as India and Pakistan.

"Why not turn the similarities into our strength. I very much look forward to meeting Mr Modi. We should remove fears mistrust and misgivings about each other," he was quoted as saying. Both countries should rid the region of instability and security that has plagued it for decades, he added.

Sharif's visit is seen as significant by political observers here given that hardline elements in Pakistan have expressed their unhappiness over his responding to the invitation positively. Sources said it was expected that the Pakistan leader would also extend a formal invitation to Modi for a visit.

What Sharif said

• Both govts (Indian and Pak) have a strong mandate and this could help in turning a new page in our relations
• I very much look forward to meeting Modi. We should remove fears mistrust and misgivings about each other
• Both countries should rid the region of instability and security that has plagued it for decades