ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif, in an interview with an Indian channel, appeared as impatient as Manmohan Singh while commenting, while laughing, of paying a visit to India whether New Delhi invited him or not.

He made these comments as India appeared to be in a great hurry to reach out to Pakistan on Sunday. Even before the Election Commission of Pakistan could officially notify the overwhelming success of Mian Nawaz Sharif, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has written a letter to Sharif. It was delivered to the PML-N office in Lahore.

“The people of India welcome your publicly articulated commitment to a relationship between India and Pakistan that is defined by peace, friendship and cooperation. I look forward to working with you and your government to chart a new course and pursue a new destiny in the relations between our countries. I would also like to extend an invitation to you to visit India at a mutually convenient time”, Singh wrote in a letter in which he addresses Sharif as ‘Mian Sahib’, since the PML-N leader is yet to enter parliament and be voted as Leader of the House.

Interestingly, this is the same Singh that not too long ago declared that “it cannot be business as usual with Pakistan”, after skirmishes on the LoC. Singh was writing at a time when his own government is under attack and is a lame duck government getting ready to go to the polls.

While the move from New Delhi is refreshing, it is strange that Singh, whose turn it is to visit Pakistan after visits from the Pakistani leadership, is still shy to visit and instead says he is looking forward to Sharif’s visit.

“As is the protocol , secretary Foreign Affairs will be fully briefing the future prime minister, and all these issues related to bilateral ties with India will be brought up”, said a senior official. Singh in his letter says that he wanted to extend to his heartiest congratulations on Sharif’s emphatic victory

in the general elections in Pakistan.

“You have received a strong mandate to lead Pakistan towards a stable, peaceful and prosperous future. I wish you all success in meeting the hopes and expectations of your people as you prepare to assume your new responsibilities”, he writes.The prime minister of the world’s largest democracy says that he sees Pakistan’s election 2013 as an ‘historic election’.

“This historic election is also a significant victory for democracy in Pakistan. The people of India have watched with admiration the people of Pakistan braving violence and strife and turning out in large numbers to affirm their democratic rights. The Pakistani people and the political parties in Pakistan deserve all credit for strengthening the framework of democracy in their country by participating in these elections despite facing enormous challenges”, writes Singh.

