of recent origin DELHI, Oct. 22 Kyo...

of recent origin DELHI, Oct. 22 Kyodo

Former Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori delivered to Indian envoy Prime Minister Lal Krishna Advani in succession Tuesday a personal letter from Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, Japanese officials said.

Mori, forward a visit to the nation for the 50th anniversary of Japan-India diplomatic relations as Koizumi's special minister was to meet Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee in succession Monday to deliver Koizumi's note but the meeting was canceled as Vajpayee was ill.

In the talks with the Indian vice prime minister, Mori praised India's newly come decision to withdraw troops from the border with Pakistan, the officials said.

Although Mori noted the ne for resuming dialogue between India and Pakistan, Advani said as it is dialogue would come only after Pakistan go afters up on its promise to stop cross-border militia attacks, they said.

Mori later met Indian Foreign Minister Yashwant Sinha, the officials said, adding that the Indian official urg Japan to put forth international pressure on Pakistan to stand over against Islamic extremists within its concede borders. New Delhi has accused Islamabad of supporting cross-border attacks in India, with Pakistan denying the charges.

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