Manmohan praises Gilani's ‘positive role’


REZAUL H LASKARPTI

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Islamabad, Mar 5: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today lauded his Pakistani counterpart Yousuf Raza Gilani for playing a “positive role” in improving bilateral relations.
Singh's “gratitude” for Gilani's role in improving bilateral ties was conveyed to the Pakistani Prime Minister by Indian High Commissioner Sharat Sabharwal during a meeting here, an official statement said. Sabharwal also conveyed the Indian Prime Minister's “good wishes” to Gilani.
Gilani reciprocated by extending good wishes to the Prime Minister and inquired about the health of Congress president Sonia Gandhi and wished her an early recovery, the statement said.
There was no official word from either side on other aspects of the discussions between Gilani and the Indian envoy.
Since the two countries resumed their peace process after a gap of over two years in the wake of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, they have taken several steps to normalize relations.
Following Commerce Minister Anand Sharma's recent visit to Islamabad, the Pakistan government approved a move to switch over to a negative list regime for trade, paving the way for giving India Most Favored Nation status by the beginning of next year.