India-Pak committed to peace: PM tells House

The PM added while redrawing of borders was not possible greater traffic of people and trade across the LoC would create mutual trust.

Declaring that India was committed to peace and friendship with Pakistan, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday said while redrawing of boundaries was not possible, greater traffic of people and trade across the Line of Control (LoC) would create an atmosphere of mutual trust between the two countries.

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Noting that Musharraf and he agreed to continue the discussions in a "sincere, purposeful and forward-looking" manner, he said, "We have agreed to work together to carry forward the process and to bring the benefit of peace to people of our two countries and, in particular, the people of Jammu and Kashmir".

"The Joint Statement (issued after Musharraf's visit earlier this week) also contained a pledge that terrorism would not be allowed to impede the peace process. It also underlines the importance of the peace process and the degree of improvement of relations between the two countries," he said.

Expressing satisfaction with the progress achieved in talks with Musharraf during his visit to India from April 16 to 18, Singh said the two countries should remain conscious of the difficulties ahead.

Emphasising that the threat to peace process from extremist forces and terrorist organisations has not been eliminated, he said "the difficult issues that divide us have bedevilled relations between India and Pakistan for far too long to hope for an immediate resolution.

"Therefore, I mentioned to President Musharraf that the whole process of serious and sustained dialogue hinges on building an atmosphere of trust and confidence, free from violence and terror. We look forward to Pakistan implementing their assurances in letter and spirit".