NEW DELHI -The peace process between India and Pakistan is now irreversible
leaders of the two longtime rival nations said yesterday, announcing a series of agreements to increase trade and cross-border travel in Kashmir.
With Pakistani President Gen. Pervez Musharraf standing beside him, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said the two had agreed to continue talks on the divided region of Kashmir, the heart of decades of disputes, in a sincere and purposeful manner until a settlement was found.
Singh, reading from a joint statement, said the two leaders determined that the peace process was now irreversible.
The two countries agreed to increase the frequency of a cross-Kashmir bus service that started earlier this month and to identify more places along the Kashmir frontier that could be opened to traffic.
They also agreed to revive a joint commission to boost business ties and to open additional consulates by the end of the year. They also vowed not to allow terrorism to thwart the peace process.
The two sides also agreed to allow the movement of trucks across their borders, a decision expected to lead to exponential growth in trade.
Enhanced economic and commercial cooperation would contribute to the well-being of the peoples of the two countries Singh said, reading from the statement, adding the two leading economies of South Asia should work together for greater prosperity of the region.
Earlier, Musharraf said the talks with the Indian leader were more successful than he had expected, but warned that settling the Kashmir dispute would take a long time.
Musharraf said there had been a change in attitude in Pakistan about Kashmir, which is split between the neighbors but claimed in its entirety by both. The two nuclear-armed rivals have fought two wars over it.
Domestically there is a realization that the military option is not the option any more he told Indian journalists. The strategy of a coercive diplomacy is no more an option.
Our achievements on all issues are more than what I expected
Musharraf said. But on Kashmir, he said, it will need a lot of time and wisdom to arrive at a settlement. Let us go step by step.
Political observers said the talks were a success.
It is a big push forward
said M.K. Rasgotra, a former Indian diplomat. Both sides have shown flexibility and displayed pragmatism
especially on the Kashmir issue.
Talat Masood, a former general in the Pakistani army, said Islamabad appeared reconciled to India's position on the territorial aspect of Kashmir.
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