Pakistani envoy welcomes Modi's statement

Pakistan's High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit Wednesday welcomed BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi's statement that India-Pakistan relations should be "balanced" with no intimidation from either side and expressed his country's keenness to work with the new government.

"We are very much encouraged," Basit told media persons here reacting to Modi's statement in an interview to a news channel Tuesday night.

"Hope we now have good stable relations. We are very keenly looking forward to working with the new government so that we can quickly, meaningfully and comprehensively engage (in resolving all issues)," he added.

Modi had said that "relationships with all countries should be balanced" and "no country should intimidate us and neither should we do it" when asked whether he would deal with Pakistan with a firm hand if he comes to power.