Tuesday, April 19 2005 19:02 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Manila: Pakistan and India must seize the "historic opportunity" for peace in the wake of the recent meeting of the two countries' leaders, Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf said in Manila today (Apr 19, 2005).

Addressing the Philippine Congress following his trip to New Delhi, Musharraf said that he was "encouraged by my interaction" with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and other Indian leaders.

"Both sides realise the historic opportunity created by the improvement in bilateral relations must be seized to address the longstanding Kashmir dispute squarely with determination, courage and flexibility," he said.

He said success in this area would "usher in a new era of durable peace, trust and confidence that would ensure a bight future for the region."

Musharraf, who is on a three-day state visit to this country, remarked that East and Southeast Asia had left South Asia behind in economic growth, remarking that "our neighbourhood has remained disturbed," due to the turmoil in Afghanistan and the Kashmir issue between India and Pakistan.

The Pakistan President said with the improvements in Afghanistan and the warming of ties between India and Pakistan, the situation in the South Asian region should improve.

He expressed hope that Pakistan could use its strategic location as a crossroads between South Asia, Central Asia and West Asia to "promote economic cooperation within these regions through special arrangements and development of infrastructure.