Pak wants friendly relations with India

"On this occasion I would like to reiterate our desire to have harmonious, cooperative and friendly relations between our two countries to achieve our shared goal of peace, progress and prosperity," Gilani said in his message of greetings to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

"On behalf of the people of Pakistan and on my own behalf, I avail this opportunity to extend my greetings and felicitations to you and to the people of India on the Independence Day of India," he said.

India and Pakistan resumed their peace process in February after a gap of over two years in the wake of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, which were blamed on the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba.

The Foreign Ministers of the two countries met in New Delhi last month and senior officials of both sides are scheduled to hold further meetings in the coming months.