Kasuri congratulates Pranab, talks about trust building

NEW DELHI: Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri on Saturday sent a congratulatory message to his Indian counterpart Pranab Mukherjee, who assumed the charge of the external affairs ministry this week, and underlined the need for building trust between the neighbours.

"It is my sincere hope that your assumption of this office would contribute to further building of trust between our two countries and thus lead to peace, progress and prosperity for the peoples of South Asia," Kasuri said in his letter of felicitation to Mukherjee.

Pakistan's deputy high commissioner Afrasiab informed that he had sent the letter to the external affairs ministry with a request that it be delivered to the minister's office.

"I am confident that under your sagacious stewardship the ongoing peace process between our two countries would move forward towards the resolution of outstanding issues, including Jammu & Kashmir," Kasuri noted.

"I look forward to working closely with you in order to bring about peace and stability in the region," he stressed.

India and Pakistan will hold foreign secretary-level talks Nov 13-15 here to review the third round of composite dialogue and discuss the contours of a joint anti-terror mechanism agreed upon between the two countries in Havana last month.