Wednesday, September 20 2006 12:51 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Srinagar: Expressing satisfaction at the resumption of the Indo-Pakistan peace process, Jammu and Kashmir Governor Lt Gen (retired) S K Sinha yesterday (Sept 19, 2006) said he envisioned a European Union-type mechanism with borders becoming irrelevant and the LoC becoming a line of peace and prosperity.

In an hour-long interaction with European Union envoys at the Raj Bhavan, Sinha said the time has come when economics should take precedence over politics and hostilities replaced by joint endeavor for economic prosperity in the subcontinent. He exuded confidence that the composite dialogue would usher in a new era of peace and normalcy in the state.

"We can work out a situation where the people of India, including Kashmir, and Pakistan can unitedly fight the common enemy of poverty, disease and ignorance," he said.

Asserting that a solution to the problem cannot be found overnight, he said one should not be in a hurry.

"It needs patience even if it takes a couple of years. The solution should be a win-win situation for India, Pakistan and the people of Kashmir," he said.

In response to a query by a diplomat, Sinha said whether Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf would be able to sell his proposals in his country was no doubt a matter of concern. He said he knew the older generation in the Pakistan Army while Musharraf is from a younger generation that has grown and fed on anti-India propaganda.

"In such a scenario, he might find himself in a tight spot especially in view of the emerging situation in Wazirstan, Baluchistan and sectarian violence plaguing Pakistan," he said.