Gilani says Pak committed to resolving issues with India

Islamabad: Pakistan is committed to peacefully resolving all outstanding issues with India to usher in "an era of peace, progress and prosperity" for the people in the region, Premier Yousuf Raza Gilani has said.

In a message of felicitation to his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh on the occasion of the Republic Day, he said, "I take this opportunity to reiterate our commitment to resolve peacefully all outstanding issues ... so as to usher in an era of peace, progress and prosperity for the people of the subcontinent."

Gilani said it was a "matter of pleasure for me to convey, on my own behalf and on behalf of the government of Pakistan, our warm felicitation to you and to the government and people of India on the occasion of the Republic Day of India".

Amidst the heightened tensions sparked by the Mumbai attacks, Singh and Gilani had exchanged New Year's greetings earlier. Gilani also sent a bouquet and a message of good wishes before Singh underwent heart surgery in New Delhi on Sunday.