NEW DELHI, Aug 28: Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday greeted Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on his taking office and said he sincerely hoped that the peace dialogue between the two countries would succeed.

"Please accept my warm felicitations on your election as the Leader of the House in the National Assembly and your assumption of office as the Prime Minister of Pakistan," Dr Singh said in his message.

"I would like to reaffirm my Government's commitment to strengthening friendship and cooperation with Pakistan," he said.

"In the recent past, our people have once again shown their strong desire for peace and harmony between our two countries, and to have the opportunity for good neighbourly and cooperative relations.

"It is my sincere hope that we can build upon recent positive developments and take forward the process of dialogue, in an atmosphere free from terrorism and violence," Dr Singh said.

He said he attached great importance to trade and economic ties between India and Pakistan.

"I look forward to your cooperation in addressing the common challenges of poverty alleviation in our region, so that our people can look forward to a future free of want."