Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Wednesday expressed his
wish that India and Pakistan would create history by signing a
treaty of peace, security and friendship, according to New Delhi
TV.
"I earnestly hope that the relations between our two countries
become so friendly and that we generate such an atmosphere of trust
between each other that the two nations would be able to agree on a
Treaty of Peace, Security and Friendship," Singh told a public
rally in Amritsar, India.
He pointed out that there was no dispute the two South Asian
neighbors would not be able to resolve if they approached them with
an open and friendly mind.
"The destinies of our two nations are interlinked. We need to
put the past behind us," he said.
The Indian prime minister also advocated more people-to-people
contacts and bus services between the two countries, which have
fought three wars since their independence from Britain in
1947.
At the same time, Singh hailed "new ideas" in response to
Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf's four-point proposal to solve
the Kashmir issue. The four points are joint management of Kashmir,
demilitarization, self-governance, and making the Line of Control
irrelevant.
"Last week I had read about some new ideas and thoughts
expressed from Pakistan. We welcome all ideas as they contribute to
the ongoing thought process," he said.
In an interview to New Delhi TV early this month, President
Musharraf said Pakistan is ready to give up its demand for
Kashmir's independence and abandon its claim over Kashmir if India
too moves away from its stated position on it.
(Xinhua News Agency December 21, 2006)
