E-Paper | August 17, 2026

India cosying up to Pakistan

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Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. — File photo

NEW DELHI: India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Sunday congratulated Pakistani politician Nawaz Sharif on his “emphatic victory” in historic elections and said he hoped for better relations.

Singh wrote on his official Twitter account, “Congratulations to Mr. Nawaz Sharif and his party for their emphatic victory in Pakistan's elections”.

He said he hoped to work with Sharif to chart “a new course for the relationship” between the neighbours and invited him to “visit India at a mutually convenient time”.

Singh also congratulated “the people and the political parties of Pakistan for braving the threats of violence and voting in large numbers” in Saturday's election.

Partial unofficial results from the election represented a stunning comeback for Sharif, a wealthy 63-year-old tycoon who was deposed as prime minister in a 1999 military coup and spent years in exile.

Pakistan
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Morad786
May 12, 2013 02:04pm
Both Punjabi Brothers can have Halwa Puri Channa soon, celebrating Punjabi rule over quarter of the worlds population!
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Ajay
May 12, 2013 03:26pm
Good to do that!!!
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Anand
May 12, 2013 05:41pm
Congratulations Pakistan. Pakistani people have proved yet again that they can dare any threat of extremism for betterment of the country. Pakistan should not view India as competitor but as a friend as we have lot of things in common among the people. Hope new era of friendship will begin instead of fightings.
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Nachikethass
May 12, 2013 06:18pm
The headline could have been a bit more polite.
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Vik Gaus
May 12, 2013 06:30pm
There may be rigging in places where some one is very strong. overall elections were conducted fair, without military involvement. Good day for Pakistan! Congratulations to our brothers and sisters! Enjoy the moment without differences!
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OneManOnePlanet
May 12, 2013 08:47pm
Congratuations on a fairly 'fair' elections and my condolences for selecting another corrupt government. Unfortunately, the curse of corrupt goventmnet continues for Pakistan, and fortunately for Sharif brothers another opportunity to add to their wealth at the expense of Pakistan! The 'jageerdars' and 'choudhries' own Pakistan (at least that's what they think in their twisted minds!). They are a disease and we must get rid off them in order to be a successful nation. Alas, we had the opportunity this weekend but we did not avail it! I am still not ready to say "R.I.P. Pakistan" and still have hope!
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Ahmed
May 12, 2013 09:24pm
dude, sorry to burst your really racist and pathetic bubble, but Nawaz Sharif is originally from Kashmir and not Punjab
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Greetings from Odisha India
May 12, 2013 10:03pm
Good luck Nawaz! I hope that Nawaz Sharif make sincere efforts to improve Indo-Pak ties and boost trade and Indian investment in Pakistan. A permanent solution to the vexing Kashmir problem is very likely earn him and his counterpart, the PM of India, a Nobel peace prize!
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Manish Gupte, PhD (@ManishMGupte)
May 12, 2013 10:06pm
We are also emotional people, so we should take next steps carefully. Trade creates wealth as each side plays to it's strengths. War makes both sides poor and peace brings prosperity.
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Majid
May 12, 2013 10:27pm
Sensational but irrelevant headline....don't get it ? Should say "Singh congratulates Pakistan".
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maslia
May 12, 2013 11:14pm
Cosying up with Pakistan , no , use proper word, do not
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Arjun
May 12, 2013 11:26pm
"cosying up" - Great way to reciprocate a cordial gesture, Dawn.
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Alex Sal
May 12, 2013 11:30pm
The headline should be the other way around. May be Pakistan can learn a few things from India.
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Good luck maray Pakistan
May 13, 2013 12:30am
I agree,I think he's just trying to sound all hip.
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Good luck maray Pakistan
May 13, 2013 12:34am
If the Indians are extending a hand of friendship,least you could do is show some respect MR. writer
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Indian
May 13, 2013 01:10am
We Indians never forget the effort dome by Mr.Sharif to improve the bilateral ties.. hope 26/11 culprits will be get punished and our bilateral ties would reach new dimension... Congratulation to Pakistanis.....
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Pradeep
May 13, 2013 02:44am
We always want to talk and have good relations with Pak. But please show us whom to talk to.
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AM
May 13, 2013 02:44am
What will happen to Mr 10%?
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kulukku baba
May 13, 2013 02:49am
"cosying up"? Why would India do that to Pakistan? Have we become super rich or powerful with this one victory? It is better to look around the country and remain rather 'super' humble!!
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Khan
May 13, 2013 03:38am
This is called decency and international diplomatic relations (something that pakistan is not very familiar with) -- and this is definitely not "cosying up"! :) - dont get carried away!
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IMTIAZ FARUQUI
May 13, 2013 03:43am
I hope this time Nawaz Shareef , think out of Lahore, he should come out of the well and swim in the ocean. I can understand he has to please all his MNA suppoters, but this is Pakistan do not forget where General Mushrraf is today you can be there again. So keep your head down and work for Pakistan.
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paki
May 13, 2013 04:37am
everyone knew it was Nawaz's sharif turn. the election in punjab were rigged. how could PML win and PTI lose when 8 out 10 people in every line were PTI supporters?? sigh, downward spiral of pakistan will continue for another 5yrs with this lot. sad day for pakistan...again !
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ag
May 13, 2013 05:28am
The good relations between the two countries are necessary for the progress of the sub-continent. Both the countries can spend the money on development rather than buying military equipment.
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Ajay
May 13, 2013 06:14am
this was the only election till date which saw no or very little India bashing , good to see this positive change , hopefully u have prosperous years ahead
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Sandhu
May 13, 2013 09:07am
I want both the Sharief brothers to visit India together, I wish them every success, please end this rivalry between us.
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Khalid
May 13, 2013 09:46am
Your choice of words for the title of this article has negative connotations as if India is trying to come close closer to Pakistan to gain some benefits. As a Pakistanis who is familiar with the realities of both India and Pakistan I know who stands to gain if the relationship between the two countries improve. Please don't spoil it for Pakistan and Pakistanis with such negative headlines. What do you gain out of this as a newspaper?.
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Vishwanath Nair
May 13, 2013 09:55am
It is really heartening to note that Pakistani brothers and sisters have proved that they believe in and were looking forward to a democratic government. Their selection of the political party this time is very apt under the present circumstances. While Energy, terrorism and overall economic development should be of prime importance of the new government, they should be very careful in dealing with the big bosses of the army whose record is not really appreciable as far as democracy is concerned. Wish you all the best Pakistan, India as responsible neighbour will only look forward to a prosperous Pakistan. May God bless Paksitan and its PM and people.
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Anuroop Vincent
May 13, 2013 02:43pm
Anyhow we Indians and Pakistanis are brothers and sisters.we divided because of political and religious causes.then as a normal family we have some share problems.but if our siblings are happy then we are also happy.terrorist are killing both Indians and Pakistanis they don't have selction like Musilms or Hindus or any other religion.so we have to join together and should lead the world ..Conradulations to Nawas Sherif ...and thanks to Manmohan Singh for expressing Indian thoughts
Recommend 0

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