India wanted a 'purposive' dialogue with Pakistan to resolve all outstanding issues, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said on Sunday, while observing that trends of cross-border terrorism and violence made the task of building mutual trust and confidence "difficult and complex".
"It is our intention to carry forward with firm resolve and sincerity the composite dialogue process with Pakistan," he said in his maiden Independence Day address.
The Prime Minister's remarks come ahead of the September 5-6 crucial talks in New Delhi between External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh and his Pakistani counterpart Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri when they will review progress made on the eight-point composite dialogue process that includes Jammu and Kashmir and peace and security.
Emphasising that the edifice of peace that "we wish to build must stand on the twin pillars of mutual trust and confidence," he said "Of course, trends of cross-border terrorism and violence make our task more difficult and complex."
He said India always favoured a "purposive bilateral dialogue" with Pakistan to resolve all outstanding issues.