Islamabad, Jan 26 : Pakistan Monday greeted India on the occasion of its 66th Republic Day and sought to forge friendly ties between the two countries.

"In wishing the people of India progress and prosperity, it is our sincere wish to forge friendly and cooperative relations between our two countries. Pakistan remains committed to developing friendly relations with India on the basis of sovereign equality, mutual respect and commonality of interests," Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said in his greeting. 

Sharif said that India and Pakistan could work together to ensure a peaceful and prosperous South Asia. 

"We believe that our two governments can work together towards the development of our countries, the wellbeing of our peoples, and achieving our common goal of peaceful and prosperous South Asia," he was quoted as saying in a press release from the High Commission of Pakistan in New Delhi.

Pakistan's President Mamnoon Hussain greeted President Pranab Mukherjee by extending good wishes on the occasion. 

"On the auspicious occasion of the 66th Republic Day, I would like to extend, on behalf of the people and the government of Pakistan and on my own behalf, our warmest felicitations to your excellency, the government and the people of India," he said.

The relations between India and Pakistan were strained after New Delhi cancelled a foreign secretary-level meeting in August last year after Pakistan's envoy in India met Kashmiri separatists ahead of the talks. 

There has also been heightened tension along the border in Jammu and Kashmir because of frequent violation of ceasefire by Pakistani troops.