NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday said India would like to see a “strong, stable and prosperous” Pakistan and that he was happy to see democracy flourish over there as he received a Pakistani parliamentary delegation.

Mr Singh also told the delegation led by Senate Chairman Syed Nayyer Hussain Bokhari that closer relations between parliaments in the two countries was necessary for strengthening bilateral ties.

“Welcoming the resumption of dialogue process, prime minister said India would like to see a strong, stable and prosperous Pakistan and was happy to see democracy flourish over there,” a statement issued by Pakistan’s High Commission here said.

Mr Bokhari said parliamentary diplomacy would be “more beneficial” in improving ties between the two countries as members of parliament represent the aspirations of people.

“We had a very good meeting. We discussed bilateral issues. It is a positive thing that the two countries are talking so that relations could improve,” Mr Bokhari told PTI after a 45-minute meeting with the Indian prime minister.

The delegation, which is visiting India at the invitation of Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari, also met External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid, Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar, leader of opposition Arun Jaitley and president of Indian Council for Cultural Relations Karan Singh.

Mr Bokhari said the two sides discussed the areas in which there were impediments which should be removed.

The delegation also met President Pranab Mukherjee who expressed satisfaction over the enhanced parliamentary exchanges as well as forward movement in areas such as trade, culture and people-to-people contacts.

“The President stressed on the need for the two countries to build on convergences and narrowing divergences,” the statement said.—By arrangement with Times of India