Jammu: Asserting that peace between India and Pakistan should be "permanent", Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee today (April 14, 2004) hoped the ongoing dialogue process will "continue and succeed".

"We want peace to be permanent. We are neighbours and we have to live together. For development, peace is essential," he said addressing an election rally.

Noting that India had always maintained that all disputes should be resolved through talks, Vajpayee said, "We are happy that Pakistan has now accepted this and both nations are moving on the path of improving ties."

"It is a new chapter now... Now dialogue is taking place and we hope this continue and succeed. Both neighbours will co-operate and move forward. The world expects this from us and this is also our policy," the Prime Minister said.