"We feel the future prosperity of 1.3 billion people of the sub-continent depends on these (Pakistan-India) relations," the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) quoted him as saying.

"I hope that my counterpart in India will respond to my sentiments."

Both Pakistan and India, he said, had suffered as a result of the tense relations.

"Pakistan would like to ensure stability and peace both within and on its borders," he said, adding that this would be in the economic interests of both Pakistan and India and their people.

He promised, "Pakistan will take all steps that are necessary to improve its relations with India and other neighborly countries."

He said Pakistan has good relations with all the other neighboring countries and enjoyed very exemplary and time-tested relations with China. "We would like further strengthening of these ties," he said.

Kasuri said the solution to the Kashmir dispute would bring lasting peace and prosperity to the sub-continent. "Only a solution that takes into consideration aspirations of the Kashmiripeople can be a lasting," he added.

The minister out-rightly rejected Indian allegations of terrorism against Pakistan. "It does not suit Pakistan to have instability across its border," he said.

He reiterated Pakistan's proposal for posting of international monitors on both sides of the Line of Control (LoC) to verify Indian claims of cross-border infiltration.

"If the Indian government is convinced that Pakistan is behind the terrorist attacks (in India and Indian-held Kashmir) then it should accept the suggestion by Pakistan for the deployment of neutral observers," he added.

Kasuri took the opportunity to express his strongest condemnation of a recent attack on an Indian temple in Indian-heldKashmir and the killing of innocent people.

"No religion allows killing of innocent people. The Government of Pakistan condemns this act in strongest term," he said.

(Xinhua News Agency November 27, 2002)