The Hindu : Front Page : Discussions with Pakistan should lead to peace treaty: Manmohan

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Mar 25, 2006

Front Page

Front Page

Discussions with Pakistan should lead to peace treaty: Manmohan

Amit Baruah

"Time has come to leave behind animosities, misgivings of the past"

AMRITSAR: The peace process with Pakistan must "ultimately culminate" in a treaty of peace, security and friendship, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said here before flagging off the first Amritsar-Nankana Sahib bus since 1947.

Dr. Singh said Friday was an emotional day for every Sikh since the Golden Temple and Nankana Sahib, two of Sikhism's holiest shrines, had been linked.

"On this historic occasion, I send my greetings to the people of Pakistan and to President Pervez Musharraf," Dr. Singh said.

"Borders are just lines"

It was wrong to link the normalisation of relations between India and Pakistan with finding a solution to the Kashmir issue. Suggesting a step-by-step approach, Dr. Singh said both sides should begin a dialogue with the people "in their areas of control" to improve the quality of governance. Borders, which could not be redrawn, should be seen as "just lines" on the map so that the people on both sides of the Line of Control were able to move freely and trade with each other.

"I also envisage a situation where the two parts of Jammu and Kashmir can, with the active encouragement of the Governments of India and Pakistan, work out cooperative, consultative mechanisms."

"Meaningful agreement"

Speaking in chaste Punjabi to a huge crowd, the Prime Minister said it was possible for India and Pakistan to come to a "meaningful agreement" on the Siachen, Sir Creek and Baglihar dam issues. "I am convinced we can move forward, if all concerned are willing to accept the ground realities, if all concerned take a long view of history and of our destiny. The time has come to leave behind the animosities and misgivings of the past and to think the unthinkable of moving together."

According to Dr. Singh, New Delhi sincerely believed that a strong, stable, prosperous and "moderate" Pakistan was in the interest of both India and South Asia. "We are sincerely committed to the prosperity, unity, development and well-being of Pakistan."

Advocating "pragmatic, practical" solutions to the Kashmir issue, he reiterated that India was committed to resolving all matters, including Kashmir, with Pakistan. "For this, I and General Musharraf have agreed that it is necessary to keep firm control over terrorism. There is a growing realisation in both our countries that terrorism is an enemy of civilised societies. General Musharraf has taken bold steps to curb extremism, and I compliment him for that. But more needs to be done in the interest of both India and Pakistan." Dr. Singh announced that India proposed to expand its immigration, customs and security halls at the Attari-Wagah border. An amount of Rs. 240 crore had been allocated for urban renewal in Amritsar alone.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail