Wednesday, March 30 2005 14:54 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Observing that there was no alternative to peace, cooperation and normal ties between India and Pakistan, leader of Opposition L K Advani today (Mar 30, 2005) counselled for patience on both sides saying there was "no scope for quick solutions" to the bilateral problems.

At a 40-minute long meeting with former Pakistan Prime Minister and President of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League (Q) Chaudhary Shujaat Hussain, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president said he keenly looked forward to his forthcoming visit to Pakistan.

Advani was earlier scheduled to visit Pakistan during the intra-session recess but postponed it due to the impending visit of Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf next month.

"There is no option to peace, cooperation and normal relations between India and Pakistan," he told the delegation led by Hussain when asked whether he supported the dialogue process between the two countries, according to a BJP release.

"Zamaana Badal Gaya Hai (Times have changed). Who would have imagined that Europe would be reunited one day?" Advani said but cautioned, "Since the problem between our two countries have existed for several decades, there is no scope for quick solutions."

"What is needed is patience, perseverance and determination on both sides," he said.

Besides Hussain, the Pakistani delegation which called on Advani included Mushahid Hussain, General Secretary of the PML (Q), Sheikh Wasim Sajad, Leader of the House in the Pakistani Senate and several member of the Pakistani National Assembly as also Pakistan's High Commissioner to India Aziz Ahmed Khan.