Monday, April 18 2005 12:43 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: India and Pakistan today (Apr 18, 2005) resolved to work together and carry forward the peace process.

Reading out the joint statement issued at the conclusion of the three-day visit of Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf to India, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said that both leaders agreed that the peace process was "irreversible".

With Musharraf standing by his side, Singh said that both sides agreed to continue discussions on Jammu and Kashmir in a "sincere and purposeful manner" to find a final settlement of the issue.

The two countries resolved not to allow terrorism to thwart the peace process between them.

The statement said the Khokrapar-Munabao Rail link will be established by January 1, 2006.

More bus services likely

The statement said that additional bus routes will be introduced from Poonch and Rawlakot in PoK and expressed hope of early start of Amritsar-Lahore bus service and increase the frequency of existing bus service.

The two countries agreed to allow movement of trucks across the LoC to enhance trade.

Divided Kashmiri families would be allowed to meet at designated points.

Consulates will be opened in Mumbai and Karachi by the end of this year, the joint statement said.

The existing mechanism would meet immediately to resolve Sir Creek and Siachen issues, the statement said.

Steps to enhance economic cooperation

Ministers of petroleum and natural gas of the two countries would hold talks in May this year to explore cooperation including a gas pipeline from Iran to India via Pakistan, the statement said.

India and Pakistan are committed to enhance economic and commercial cooperation to contribute to the wellbeing of their people.

The statement said that the leaders of two nations decided to reactivate joint economic commission and agreed that the joint business council should meet soon.

It also said that bus service to various religious places like Nankana Sahib in Pakistan would be launched soon.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Musharraf used the opportunity to review the progress since the statements on January 6, 2004 in Islamabad and September 24, 2004 in New York.

They assessed positively the progress in CBMs and people-to-people contact and enhanced areas of integration.

Both the leaders condemned the terrorist attack to disturb the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service and welcomed its successful launch.

The statement also said that both the leaders were determined not to allow terrorism to impede the peace process.

The Prime Minister said he had accepted in principle the invitation extended by Musharraf to visit Pakistan and mutually agreed dates would be worked out.