Indian Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee has said he was optimistic about a "steady improvement" in India's relations with Pakistan.
"The recently concluded cricket series has eloquently demonstrated the widespread aspiration in both the countries for good neighbourly relations.
People on both sides want to see lasting peace and mutually beneficial co-operation in diverse fields," Vajpayee told IANS news service at 7, Race Course Road residence in Delhi.
He said he had good talks with Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Zafarullah Khan Jamali in January last in Islamabad on sidelines of Saarc Summit. "I am keen to continue this dialogue process," the Prime Minister said.
Vajpayee said if the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) returned to power after the current national elections, his government's main task would be "to continue the dialogue process with Pakistan in pursuit of a lasting solution to all the outstanding issues, including Jammu & Kashmir".
He said the joint statement issued by India and Pakistan during his visit to Islamabad in January this year provided a good basis for forward movement.
Vajpayee had praised the sportsmanship of Pakistani spectators, saying it was "really remarkable" that even when their national squad was losing, they had applauded the Indian team and refrained scrupulously from using any bad language against the visitors.
He also said his government would very much like to "broaden and deepen" the country's multidimensional relations with the United States in the coming years.
"We look forward to working with the new administration in Washington after the November elections," Vajpayee said.
He said India also wanted to further strengthen the country's "Look East" policy to establish closer economic co-operation between India and Asean region, as well as between India and countries in the Far East.
The Prime Minister said his government attached much importance to strengthening ties with countries in the Gulf region and the Middle East.
A large number of Indian works in these countries, contributing significantly to their prosperity as well as to India's economy, Vajpayee noted.
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