ISLAMABAD (Online) - Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Thursday reciprocated the good wishes conveyed to him by senior Indian leaders and hoped that the stalled dialogue between the two countries would be resumed soon. PM Gilani made these remarks during a meeting with Population Welfare Minister Firdous Ashiq Awan, who visited India recently. She apprised the Prime Minister of her recent visit to India and her meetings with leaders of major political parties of India including Congress party chief Sonia Gandhi and Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad. During her meeting with Awan, Sonia sent her felicitations to President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Gilani and the people of Pakistan on the passage of the 18th Amendment, which strips the President of his sweeping powers and removes changes made to the constitution by military dictators. Gandhi lauded the Bhutto familys sacrifices for democracy and appreciated Gilanis reconciliatory policy to bring political stability to Pakistan. While reciprocating the goodwill gesture of the Indian politicians, the Prime Minister hoped for the early resumption of the bilateral dialogue between the two countries, said a statement issued by the Prime Ministers media office. Pakistan desires peace and stability in the region and looks forward to establish friendly bilateral relations with all the countries of the region, PM Gilani said. Pakistan is trying to solve regional issues through dialogue as stability will usher in prosperity in the region, he added. Firdous Awan told the PM that the formation of a Friendship Forum, especially a Women Parliamentarians Forum, was discussed in her meetings with lawmakers to bring both countries closer. The Indian leaders stressed the need for people-to-people contacts and free bilateral trade. They also discussed proposals for socio-cultural heritage exchange through ministries and youth of both countries, she said.