Monday, April 18 2005 16:20 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kolkata: Expressing satisfaction at the outcome of the talks between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf, Leader of the Opposition and BJP (Bharatiya Janatha Party) president L K Advani today (Apr 18, 2005) hoped that it would lead to 'concrete measures'.

''The whole process which was initiated by previous NDA (National Democratic Alliance) Government and the joint statement in 2004 is moving forward is a matter of gratification,'' Advani, who was in Kolkata to attend the funeral of BJP leader and former Uttar Pradesh Governor Vishnu Kant Shastri, said.

The BJP chief said that the Vajpayee Government had taken the first step towards normalisation of relations between the two countries last year 2004.

''When Vajpayee went to SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation) summit in Islamabad in January 2004 and a joint statement was issued by Vajpayee and Musharraf, the Pakistani leader agreed that he would not allow Pakistani soil to be used for anti-India terrorist activities,'' Advani said, adding ''this led to a breakthrough''.

''The President Musharraf and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has furthered this peace process and we hope that concrete measures will be taken,'' Advani said.

When asked whether the peace process can be proceeded keeping the issue of Kashmir aside, Advani said, ''All issues should be discussed but there are some issues which cannot be solved overnight.''

''There are even issues where the Parliaments of the two countries are concerned,'' Advani said.