End terrorism for better ties, Sonia tells Pak

NEW DELHI: Congress president Sonia Gandhi has demanded that Pakistan should take initiative to end cross-border terrorism if it wants to create a conducive atmosphere for the improvement of relations with India.
In a message on the occasion of the SAFMA conference in Islamabad, Sonia said that the Simla agreement of 1972 provided the framework ``within which the two countries can discuss all issues and build a durable friendly relationship''''.
The Congress, she said, welcomed Prime Minister Vajpayee''s initiative to resume the dialogue with Pakistan. ``However, to create a conducive atmosphere for having meaningful talks or negotiations, it is essential that cross-border terrorism must cease,'''' she said.
She recalled the free and fair elections in Jammu and Kashmir last year in which the people of the state had taken part in large numbers. ``These elections were hailed by almost all countries in the world as a striking example of democratic functioning,'''' she said.
Sonia said her party had always favoured dialogue as a means of resolving contentious issues. The two neighbours, she felt, should make efforts to improve ties.
Referring to the Simla agreement signed by Indira Gandhi and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, she suggested that all outstanding issues be discussed on the principle of bilateralism to achieve lasting peace.