Tuesday, February 15 2005 22:04 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Islamabad: Hoping to give further impetus to ongoing peace process, External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh arrived in Islamabad tonight (Feb 15, 2005) saying that India was committed to tension-free, peaceful and cooperative relations with Pakistan.

"I intend to use this first bilateral visit of an Indian External Affairs Minister since 1989 to provide further impetus to the present India-Pakistan (dialogue) process," Singh said in a statement on his arrival in Islamabad after a day-long visit to Afghanistan.

Singh, who is accompanied by Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran and other senior officials, was received at the airport by Pakistan's new Foreign Secretary Riaz Muhammad Khan, who assumed the charge today itself.

"I am hopeful of taking this dialogue process further. The process can be sustained only in an atmosphere free from terrorism and violence in line with the commitment arrived on January 6, 2004" between the two countries, he said.

Singh, who would be calling on Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz tomorrow and hold talks with his counterpart Khurshid M Kasuri, said, "I look forward to exploring with them further ways of strengthening the foundations of our cooperative interactions, based on the clearly expressed support of the people of the two countries."

He said cooperation between the two countries was an "imperative not just a desirable objective".

"Since then (2004) we have come a fair distance. Diplomatic and communication links have been restored. One round of composite dialogue has been completed and the other initiated," Singh said.

"We have brought additional subjects to the table through experts-level dialogue, including on nuclear and conventional confidence building measures.

"We are looking at additional transportation links between us," the Minister said.

He said the Commerce Secretaries of the two countries will meet in a week's time to discuss a framework of a joint study group to explore enhancement of trade and economic cooperation.

"We have also now agreed to consider a pipeline through Pakistan, subject to satisfaction of our security concerns and assured supplies," Singh said.

He said there are several agreements possible in the coming months. These could include pre-notification of missile tests, MoU between narcotics control authorities of the two countries and an MoU between Coast Guards and Pakistan's Maritime Security Agency, he said.