ISLAMABAD, June 28: President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday extended good wishes to India and stressed the need for strengthening economic relations between Pakistan and India.

The president was talking to outgoing Indian High Commissioner Sharat Sabharwal who paid a farewell call on him.

President’s Spokesman Farhatullah Babar quoted the president as saying: “Pakistan wishes to have friendly, cooperative and good neighbourly relations with India and there are tremendous opportunities…between the two countries to boost their cooperation for the mutual benefit of the people of the two countries.”

Appreciating the high commissioner’s efforts, the president said that during his four-year tenure in Islamabad Mr Sabharwal had worked hard towards building better relations between the two countries.

Mr Zardari wished the envoy well in his future life and assignments.

Mr Sabharwal thanked the president for the support extended to him by the government of Pakistan during his tenure as high commissioner.