Thursday, December 21, 2006
Destinies of Pakistan and India linked: I have a vision for peace: Singh
By Iftikhar Gilani
NEW DELHI: Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said on Wednesday he hoped that India and Pakistan could improve their relations and generate an atmosphere of trust so they could sign a treaty of peace, security and friendship.
ââ¬ÅI too have a vision regarding India and Pakistan. 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 will be able to agree on a treaty of peace, security and friendship,ââ¬Â told a public meeting in the Sikh holy city of Amritsar on Wednesday.
ââ¬ÅI am sure that we can overcome all hurdles in our path and realise such a treaty. This will become the instrument for realising our collective destiny and the basis for enduring peace and prosperity in the region,ââ¬Â Singh said. He also welcomed recent proposals on peace in Kashmir from Pakistan. ââ¬ÅLast week, I read about some new ideas and thoughts expressed from Pakistan. We welcome all ideas as they contribute to the ongoing thought process. If both sides approach issues with an open and friendly mind, and work together on resolving each of these, then it will be possible for us to resolve all pending issues through a dialogue process,ââ¬Â Singh said.
He made no direct reference to Kashmir, but President Gen Pervez Musharraf said earlier this month that Islamabad was willing to give up its claim to all of Kashmir if India reciprocated and agreed to jointly administer the region. Singh said the destiny of India and Pakistan ââ¬Åis interlinkedââ¬Â, and the two countries should ââ¬Åput the past behind us. We need to think about our collective destiny, a destiny where both neighbours can work jointly towards a better future for their citizens. If our minds are determined and focused on this goal, I am confident that this destiny can be realised.ââ¬Â
The prime minister said his government had taken a number of initiatives with Pakistan for the benefit of Indian Punjab. Bus services had been launched between Amritsar and Lahore and Amritsar and Nankana Sahib.
ââ¬ÅI am confident that if we continue on this path of peace, then Amritsar can once again regain its glory as a major centre of trade and commerce,ââ¬Â he said.
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006\12\21\story_21-12-2006_pg1_3
Destinies of Pakistan and India linked: I have a vision for peace: Singh
By Iftikhar Gilani
NEW DELHI: Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said on Wednesday he hoped that India and Pakistan could improve their relations and generate an atmosphere of trust so they could sign a treaty of peace, security and friendship.
ââ¬ÅI too have a vision regarding India and Pakistan. 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 will be able to agree on a treaty of peace, security and friendship,ââ¬Â told a public meeting in the Sikh holy city of Amritsar on Wednesday.
ââ¬ÅI am sure that we can overcome all hurdles in our path and realise such a treaty. This will become the instrument for realising our collective destiny and the basis for enduring peace and prosperity in the region,ââ¬Â Singh said. He also welcomed recent proposals on peace in Kashmir from Pakistan. ââ¬ÅLast week, I read about some new ideas and thoughts expressed from Pakistan. We welcome all ideas as they contribute to the ongoing thought process. If both sides approach issues with an open and friendly mind, and work together on resolving each of these, then it will be possible for us to resolve all pending issues through a dialogue process,ââ¬Â Singh said.
He made no direct reference to Kashmir, but President Gen Pervez Musharraf said earlier this month that Islamabad was willing to give up its claim to all of Kashmir if India reciprocated and agreed to jointly administer the region. Singh said the destiny of India and Pakistan ââ¬Åis interlinkedââ¬Â, and the two countries should ââ¬Åput the past behind us. We need to think about our collective destiny, a destiny where both neighbours can work jointly towards a better future for their citizens. If our minds are determined and focused on this goal, I am confident that this destiny can be realised.ââ¬Â
The prime minister said his government had taken a number of initiatives with Pakistan for the benefit of Indian Punjab. Bus services had been launched between Amritsar and Lahore and Amritsar and Nankana Sahib.
ââ¬ÅI am confident that if we continue on this path of peace, then Amritsar can once again regain its glory as a major centre of trade and commerce,ââ¬Â he said.
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006\12\21\story_21-12-2006_pg1_3
