Thursday, April 7 2005 11:52 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Srinagar: Flagging off the first bus service between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad in 57 years, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today (Apr 7, 2005) said the historic step would help in fostering peace and harmony between India and Pakistan.

Singh, who launched the bus service at a colourful function attended by thousands of people braving a downpour, declared India's resolve to jointly fight terrorism with Pakistan.

United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Governor S K Sinha, Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed, Union Ministers Ghulam Nabi Azad, K Natwar Singh, Mani Shankar Aiyar, People's Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti, National Conference president Omar Abdullah and several Ministers in the Jammu and Kashmir Government were present at the function at the Sher-e-Kashmir cricket stadium amidst tight security.

"India is willing to hold the hand of Pakistan to usher in peace, harmony, prosperity and hope on both sides of Jammu and Kashmir and this bus service will help in building bridges and roads of progress," Singh said in his 15-minute address.

Singh, who along with Sonia met individually with all 21 passengers who boarded the bus defying militants threats, termed the bus service, billed as the biggest Confidence Building Measure (CBM) and named as "caravan of peace", said it was a small but significant step towards establishing good neighbourly relations.

He said it would open a "new chapter" in the chequered history of the two countries since 1947.

"This will fulfil the dreams of thousands of people and divided families who had lost contact after the road was closed down in 1953, Singh said.

UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi in her address asserted that India was committed to improve its relations with Pakistan through a process of negotiations, she also said that the start of the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service would foster brotherhood and bring prosperity in the region.

The country was committed to improving Indo-Pak ties through a process of negotiations and other peaceful measures, she said at the function to inaugurate the bus service.

She said opening of other routes to Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) might follow.

Striking a personal chord, Sonia said, "My ancestors belong to Jammu and Kashmir and both Indiraji and Rajiv Ji remained committed to the people of Kashmir till their martyrdom. And I will also maintain the legacy."

Sonia said that the 21st century is being termed as the "Century of Asia" and both India and Pakistan cannot afford to lag behind. "They will have to make this a reality," she added.

"We will leave no stone unturned in our endeavour to bring peace in the region and the bus service will prove to be a unique example for the world to bring peace in the region," the Congress President said.

Expressing gratitude to the people gathered in Srinagar from far-flung places and braving a downpour at the flagging off ceremony, Sonia said there were elements, which did not want peace between India and Pakistan and they were bound to fail.

She referred to the militant's bid to attack the passengers of the bus yesterday. "The incident is a pointer to this. The people of Kashmir have fought bravely in the past and would continue their battle for peace," Sonia said.

The people of Kashmir, the Congress president said, had a special emotional relationship with the Jhelum Valley road and hoped that other routes would be opened to foster further ties between people of both sides.

Speaking on the occasion, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed said the bus service would act as a bridge between India and Pakistan and the battle for peace in Kashmir would continue.

"The unthinkable has been achieved today," Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said.