PM pitches for peace treaty with Pakistan

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today welcomed President Pervez Musharraf's four-point formula for peace and renewed his offer for a bilateral treaty of peace, security and friendship, which he said would be an instrument of enduring peace and prosperity.

Reaching out to Pakistan with his "vision" of Indo-Pak ties and welcoming "new ideas" from Pakistan, he said the two countries needed to work together with an "open mind" and build trust.

Addressing a rally this morning, he said India was working towards better ties with Pakistan, but the process did not have a time frame.

"The destinies of our two nations are interlinked and there is a need to put the past behind to think about our collective destiny," he said.

He expressed confidence that this could be achieved. "If our minds are determined and focussed on this goal, I am confident that this destiny can be realised," he said.

Singh said a treaty of peace, security and friendship was essential as it would become the instrument for realising "our collective destiny and the basis for enduring peace and prosperity in the region."

"Last week I read about some new ideas and thoughts expressed from Pakistan," he said, referring to President Pervez Musharraf's four-point formula to resolve the Kashmir issue, which included demilitarisation and joint management of the undivided state.

"We welcome all ideas as they contribute to the ongoing thought process," Singh said, adding that if both sides approached the issues with an "open and friendly mind and work together on resolving each of these, it will be possible for us to resolve all pending issues."

Expressing confidence that the two neighbours could continue on the path of peace, he said, "This is possible and we will make it happen. This is not a dream, it can be a reality."

"I am confident that if we continue on this path of peace, Amritsar can once again regain its glory as a major centre of trade and commerce. I believe this is possible and we will make it happen," he said.