New Delhi: Pushing the peace process forward, India today (Nov 25, 2004) announced restoration of rail link between Sindh and Rajasthan, suspended since 1965, from October next year and said it would not be deflected by "transient" developments in bilateral ties.

Spotlight: Kashmir is NOT negotiable

Outlining UPA (United Progressive Alliance) Government's foreign policy initiatives in its six months in office, External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh told a press conference that the "reactive policy" with Pakistan has been put behind.

"We are engaged in a sustained and comprehensive dialogue process from which we will not be deflected by transient developments and often contradictory pronouncements," he said in an apparent reference to fusillade of words between India and Pakistan in the run of Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz's visit to New Delhi.

Welcoming Pakistan's readiness to discuss all other issues besides Kashmir, Singh advocated that India and Pakistan should develop their relations based on the Sino-India model.

This could help boost bilateral trade in a big way while talks on Kashmir and other issues could continue, he added.

In his hour-long interaction, Singh said India accorded high priority to its relations with the US and spoke about its sustained engagement with Russia, China and the European Union.

He said US President George W Bush and Secretary of State-designate Condoleezza Rice have accepted invitations to visit India as early as possible.