Prime Minister of India - Dr. Manmohan Singh

"In a globalised world borders should not matter": PM to visiting Pakistani Delegation

Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, told a visiting delegation of senior political leaders from Pakistan that he is looking forward to his meeting with Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf next month. Dr Singh said, "History obliges us to seize all opportunities to pursue peace. We cannot change borders, but in a globalised world borders should not matter."

The Pakistan delegation was led by former Prime Minister Shujat Hussain (President, Pakistan Muslim League) and included several senators and intellectuals.

The Pakistani visitors told Dr Singh that there is "tremendous goodwill" today in Pakistan in favour of the composite dialogue and the peace process with India. They expressed the view that cricket matches, cultural and business interactions, increased people-to-people contact had created an environment in which "bold steps" could be taken by the political leadership to resolve all outstanding issues between the two nations. Stating that there is now a "genuine turnaround in the thinking and mindset" of the people in both countries, they urged the leaders of both nations to "seize the moment" and work for lasting peace.

Prime Minister, Dr. Singh said that he was looking forward to the visit of President Musharraf next month and hoped to continue the discussions he had initiated with him in New York last year. The PM said that India is committed to finding a "lasting solution" to "all outstanding issues." He further added that "our common enemy is poverty, ignorance and disease. We should devote all our resources to fighting poverty. Our generation has an obligation to the future."

Pointing to the Indus Water Treaty as a symbol of cooperation between the two neighbours, Dr Singh said, "India is duty bound to implement in letter and spirit all bilateral agreements". He expressed the hope that technical experts from both sides can find a way out in dealing with differences on irrigation projects and water sharing.