Islamabad: Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid M Kasuri has greeted his new Indian counterpart K Natwar Singh on his appointment as Minister for External Affairs and expressed confidence that peace process between the two sides would gain strength under his "able" leadership.

"It gives me great pleasure to congratulate you most warmly on your appointment as the Foreign Minister of the Republic of India," Kasuri said in his message today (May 25, 2004)

Wishing him every success in the fulfilment of his important responsibilities, Kasuri said, "I am confident that the process of peace that has been initiated between our two countries will gain strength, under your able leadership."

Kasuri said he wished to assure Singh that Pakistan looks forward to a serious and sustained engagement with India, which "we believe is in the interest of peace and Stability of our region and holds the potential of rich dividends for our peoples."

"I also look forward to working together with you towards reinvigorating regional cooperation under the aegis of SAARC," he added.