Wednesday, June 21 2006 10:37 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Chakan-da-bagh (J&K): India yesterday (June 20,2006) said confidence-building measures with Pakistan like opening of bus service between Poonch and Rawalakot were aimed at averting a conflict between the two countries.

"Initiation of various confidence building measures, of which opening up of Poonch-Rawalakot and Srinagar-Muzaffarabad roads are part, are aimed at avoiding all kinds of conflicts, making the LOC and borders peaceful and also creating friendly atmosphere between the two countries," Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee told reporters here.

He said there were vested interests who want violence in Kashmir to go on for their self ends but India and Pakistan have to work to foil the nefarious designs of these elements.

Maintaining that Jammu and Kashmir and central governments are working for restoration of normalcy in the state, Mukherjee said this would also help resolve the issues through dialogue.

Agreeing with Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad that 58 years of hatred has to be replaced by friendship and peace, Mukherjee said LOC can act as a bridge and not the Line of Divide and the people who travel across would carry the message of brotherhod and love for each other.

He said Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has assured that there won't be any cross border terrorism and hoped that he will remain firm to his promise.

He said, "I share the optimism expressed by Azad that peace will ultimately prevail and be strengthened."

Addressing a public meeting, Mukherjee said the people of border areas of Poonch and Rajouri have witnessed difficult days and gone through miseries of militancy and hoped that they would now live in peace.