Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf [Images] assured Prime Minister Manmohan Singh [Images] on Wednesday night at their summit meeting in New York that the issue of Indian prisoner Sarabjit Singh would be looked at in a positive spirit.

Sarabjit Singh, branded a spy by Pakistan, has been languishing in Pakistan since 1990. India has denied he is a spy, but the issue has been a thorn in the side between the two countries.

Dr Singh, who raised the issue of Sarabjit's freedom against the backdrop of the recent release of prisoners by both Pakistan and India, told President Musharraf that the issue has generated tremendous amount of interest in India and anxiety among his family members.

Musharraf told Dr Singh that there were legal issues that dog the case but assured the Indian prime minister that it will be considered in a positive spirit.

Complete coverage: Prime Minister at the UN