Hope Sharif succeeds in normalising bilateral relations: PM

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said things have changed for the better in India-Pak relations and the way forward to full normalisation of bilateral ties will depend on the progress made on two issues in the coming weeks - maintaining ceasefire on the LoC and punishing the culprits of 26/11 by Pakistan.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said things have changed for the better in India-Pak relations and the way forward to full normalisation of bilateral ties will depend on the progress made on two issues in the coming weeks - maintaining ceasefire on the LoC and punishing the culprits of 26/11 by Pakistan.

Reminded of a statement he had made soon after the beheading of an Indian solider on the LoC in January that it could not be business as usual with Pakistan, the PM said his meeting with Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif indicated a forward movement in normalising bilateral relations.

"I sincerely hope that Nawaz Sharif succeeds. He is the democratically elected PM of a neighboring country. He said all the right things regarding India-Pakistan relations. I sincerely hope that he succeeds in his mission."

The PM said Sharif had denied making derogatory statements attributed to him and that was a no issue.