Pak Prez, PM greetings on R-day; want friendly ties

Zardari, in his message to President Pranab Mukherjee said, "On the occasion of the Republic Day of India, it gives me immense pleasure to convey to Your Excellency warm greetings and good wishes of the people of Pakistan.

"We wish the people of India continued progress and prosperity and look forward to developing friendly, cooperative and mutually beneficial relations between our two countries."

He ended the letter by writing, "Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration."

Ashraf, in his letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, wrote, "On behalf of the Government and people of Pakistan, it gives me great pleasure to convey our heartiest felicitations on the occasion of the Republic Day of India.

"I wish to reiterate our commitment to working with you closely for developing friendly and cooperative relations and resolving all issues through dialogue. We wish the people of India, progress and prosperity."

The greetings come amidst chill in bilateral relations triggered by the beheading of an Indian soldier by Pakistani troops on Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir on January 8.