Friday, March 24 2006 14:54 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Amritsar: Taking another important step to normalise ties, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today (Mar 24, 2006) offered a 'Treaty of Peace, Security and Friendship' to Pakistan as a culmination of the ongoing peace process.

At the same time, he termed as a 'mistake' Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf's linking of normalisation of bilateral relations with the resolution of Jammu and Kashmir issue and said India was not afraid of discussing pragmatic, practical solutions to it.

Flagging o'was possible on issues like Siachen, Sir Creek and Baglihar.

"I have a vision that the peace making process must ultimately culminate in our two countries entering into a Treaty of Peace, Security and Friendship to give meaning and substance to our quest for shared goals", Singh said.

"I make this offer to the people of Pakistan on this historic occasion. I am sure the leadership of Pakistan will reciprocate", he said.

The Prime Minister said "The time has come to leave behind the animosities and misgivings of the past and to think the unthinkable."

Singh complimented Musharraf for taking 'bold steps' to curb extremism but said "More needs to be done in the interest of both India and Pakistan".