India cosying up to Pakistan

E-Paper | July 28, 2026

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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.

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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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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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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

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