21.   He expressed the hope that Canada-Pakistan relations would grow after his visit.

22.   Confrontations between Indians and government forces in Canada have increased sharply in recent months as relations grow steadily more strained.

23.   US-Cuban relations have grown more tense since the February downing of the Brothers to the Rescue planes.

24.   Xinhua news agency said Boungnang thanked China for its long-term aid to Laos while Jiang said Sino-Lao relations were growing stronger.

25.   Relations grew icier this year following Syrian troops movements near its border with Israel following the election of Israeli right-wing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

26.   Relations have grown worse in the past four years as Clinton seeks to isolate Iran for its alleged sponsorship of international terrorism.

27.   The Chinese government took months to give approval -- usually a diplomatic formality -- to Sasser as Sino-US relations grew increasingly strained earlier this year.