Trans-Kashmir trade from Oct 21

Stressing the importance of economic cooperation and people-to-people contacts, the two countries agreed to open the Wagah-Attari road link and Khokrapar-Munabao rail route to all items of trade agreed earlier by the two countries. Officials of both sides will meet soon to discuss the modalities for opening of the Skardu-Kargil route as well.

“The leaders met for well over an hour, spent most of their time without aides and had a comprehensive discussion of the entire realm of issues in our relationship,” Indian Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon told reporters.

“They shared a vision of how they want to take it forward, and at the end of it both expressed satisfaction at the quality and nature of the discussions they had,” he said.

“This is a strong statement on terror. We will move in tandem on all issues, including terrorism,” Menon told reporters after the one-on-one talks between the two leaders for nearly 45 minutes without aides.

The meeting was characterised by warmth and personal gestures. Zardari hugged Manmohan Singh twice and spoke admiringly of him. “You are the leader of modern India,” Zardari said, setting a positive note for the engagement between the two countries.

“I hope to learn from him.”

Asif Zardari told reporters that his country now faced a difficult situation, but he was hopeful about resolving the long-standing issue of Kashmir with India.

“So I think there is an impetus of a new dialogue with the realisation and the growth of this generation, I think people of India and people of Pakistan should themselves decide,” he said.

Manmohan Singh, on his part, congratulated Zardari on his election as President and “the victory of democracy in Pakistan” and expressed the hope that this would pave the way for “a profound transformation of the bilateral relationship” - remarks that underlined New Delhi’s keenness to build equations with the new civilian dispensation in Pakistan.

The Indian Premier also praised Zardari’s vision for a progressive South Asia, saying they decided that issues be resolved through “peaceful” means.

From India’s point of view, the meeting was “satisfactory” as the joint statement accommodated its concerns on “terrorism”.

“We are quite clear that an atmosphere free of violence and terrorism is necessary for dialogue to move forward. We will work towards the solution of all issues that divide us, including Jammu and Kashmir,” Menon underlined.