Kolkata: Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today (May 4, 2004) said that India would continue its peace initiatives with Pakistan should the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) return to power at the Centre after the Lok Sabha polls.

Addressing an election rally in the Calcutta South Lok Sabha constituency where Nationalist Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee is a contestant, Vajpayee said that his Government had taken the initiative to improve relations with Pakistan and had persisted with the efforts despite some initial setbacks.

''Now there is peace. Instead of war, we are witnessing cricket matches between the two countries. This is good, the Prime Minister said.

Emphasising his resolve to pursue peaceful relations with all neighbours, Vajpayee said, ''You can change your friends, but not your neighbours. If your neighbour is bad, you cannot carry your house elsewhere.''

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Vajpayee said despite initial failures at Lahore and Agra, he had persisted with the peace initiative while insisting that Pakistan should desist from encouraging terrorism in Indian territory.