Musharraf sends congratulatory message to new India president

0 Comments | Asian Political News, July 22, 2002

ISLAMABAD, July 18 Kyodo

Pakistan's President Gen. Pervez Musharraf sent a message of congratulation on Thursday to newly elected Indian President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and offered to work with him to promote tension-free relations between the two countries, the official Pakistan Television said.

Kalam, 70, is the third Muslim to occupy the largely ceremonious presidential office in India.

A missile scientist who led India's nuclear tests in 1999, Kalam won Tuesday's presidential election with 89% of the votes cast by 4,896 national and provincial lawmakers who make up a special electoral college.

Kalam will take over from outgoing President Kocheril Raman Narayarian, whose five-year term ends next Wednesday.