India and Pakistan say they aim to normalize ties

The leaders of India and Pakistan agreed in talks Sunday that their countries should adopt a step-by-step approach to resolve their differences and build on a recent thaw in their strained relations, Associated Press reports.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and visiting Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari said the meeting — their first in nearly three years — was friendly and constructive.

"Relations between India and Pakistan should become normal. That's our common desire," Singh told reporters after the private talks, at which no aides were present.

"We would like to have better relations," Zardari said.