Karachi: Maintaining that the coming general elections would not affect the composite dialogue to be initiated next month with Pakistan, India today (Jan 29, 2004) said if the process is to be sustained progress has to be made on ensuring that terror and violence are eliminated.

India is committed to the process of composite dialogue beginning next month with Pakistan and it would not be affected by the general elections as there is a broad consensus in India in favour of the peace process, Indian High Commissioner Shivshankar Menon said, addressing the English Speakers Union.

He said the January 6 joint press statement (JPS) issued after the meeting between Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf showed the way forward for both the countries to continue the dialogue process to settle the complex issues like Jammu and Kashmir.

"The JPS shows us the way forward. If the process is to be sustained, we need to make progress on ensuring that terror and violence are eliminated. We must also make progress in addressing bilateral issues, including Jammu and Kashmir, to the satisfaction of both sides," he said.

Menon also cautioned that the peace process, however, faced considerable challenges ahead. "We recognise that there will be considerable challenges in the days ahead. To stay on course we require sincerity and stamina, facing the opponents of peace and the instruments of terror and overcoming the bitter legacy of our history."