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India Hopes New Pakistan Leaders Will Target Militancy

by Reuters

   NEW DELHI --

   India, in its first comments following this week's general election in
   Pakistan, said Saturday that it hoped the new government in Islamabad
   would "work constructively" to end militancy in South Asia.

   Cricket star-turned-politician Imran Khan, who won the disputed
   election, has called for better ties with India.

   "We hope that the new government of Pakistan will work constructively
   to build a safe, stable, secure and developed South Asia free of terror
   and violence," India's Ministry of External Affairs said in a
   statement.

   India accuses Pakistan of backing several anti-India militant groups
   and helping them to infiltrate the divided Kashmir region to stoke
   violence. Pakistan denies the charge.

   On Thursday, as he declared victory in the election, Khan said India
   and Pakistan should resolve the Kashmir dispute through talks.

   India and Pakistan have fought three wars since their independence in
   1947, two of them over Kashmir, which they both claim in full but rule
   in part. Clashes between their forces in Kashmir largely stopped after
   a 2003 cease-fire, but exchanges of fire have been more common in
   recent years.

   India's foreign affairs ministry did not directly comment on Khan's
   call for talks, but said it welcomed that "the people of Pakistan have
   reposed their faith in democracy through general elections."

   "India desires a prosperous and progressive Pakistan at peace with its
   neighbors," the statement said.

   On Saturday, Khan opened coalition talks with at least one smaller
   party and independent politicians, a spokesman said, after the
   announcement of the full results of the election.