Talks only option, opine delegates to India-Pakistan peace conference
By ANIWednesday, January 13, 2010
NEW DELHI - Delegates from India and Pakistan, who are attending a peace conference in New Delhi, said on Tuesday that there is no option for the South Asian arch rivals but to re-open dialogue.
“Is it to have more tools of mass destruction? Is it to have more television sets, and more cars on the roads or you want the strength to say ‘no to war and yes to peace’ said Mahesh Bhatt, a renowned filmmaker.
“India and Pakistan want to carry forward this relation and wish for peace and harmony in the subcontinent and looking towards a solution. Then nothing is possible except dialogue,” said Salman Haider, former Indian Foreign Secretary.
Delegates also called for enhancing travel and trade to build trust between the nuclear-armed rivals.
Trade between India and Pakistan is likely to witness a 60 percent decline in the financial year ending March 2010 as a result of tensions after the Mumbai terror attacks, says a study by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry. (ANI)
