‘Your son a hit…mother utterly charming’

Brushing aside all apprehensions about a replay of the failed talks during his Agra visit, Musharraf said the environment wasn’t the same as it was then. ‘‘It has changed 180 degrees,’’ he said.

Addressing the Pakistan President, PM Manmohan Singh said, ‘‘I believe your son was quite a hit with young people here’’, referring to Bilal Musharraf’s recent visit. Of the General’s mother, he said: ‘‘She was so utterly charming that my wife said to her she envied her daughter-in-law.’’

On his part, Musharraf said, ‘‘The period of conflict management is over. We have entered an era of conflict resolution. I have extended my hand for a clap, and I hope both of us clap because it takes two to clap. The aspirations of the people have overtaken the governments of the two countries. The process is irreversible.’’

The atmosphere seemed to be one of hope. A Pakistani delegate summed it up saying: ‘‘There is a feeling within our group that things will turn out well this time. Now the personal level has risen above the political level.’’

Can’t rewrite past but we can build more secure future: PM

“It gives my wife and me great pleasure to welcome President Musharraf and Begum Musharraf to our table this evening. The people of India are with me as we extend our hospitality to you on your visit to our country. Mr President, last month we had the pleasure of meeting your mother, brother and your handsome son. I believe your son was quite a hit with young people here! My wife and I went down memory lane with your mother and brother, talking of common friends and shared experiences.

“We were impressed by the wisdom and wit of your most affectionate mother. She was so utterly charming that my wife said to her, ‘I envy your daughter-in-law. She is so lucky to have a mother-in-law like you!’

“Mr President, when we met in New York I said that while I was born in what is now Pakistan, and you were born here, both of us have come to occupy these high offices in our countries without lengthy careers in politics! Fate has placed on our shoulders the burden of a sacred responsibility that we are now required to bear. The people of both our nations expect us to play our due role…

India, Pakistan and especially the people of Jammu and Kashmir have paid a heavy price in terms of peace and development because of the persistent conflict of the past half century.

“The time has come to find an enduring solution to all the problems between the two countries. The people of our countries need a positive outcome and must not remain trapped in a zero-sum situation.

“Mr President, South Asia has the potential to emerge as the most dynamic powerhouse of the world…

“The people of South Asia do not need further divisions, but greater unity. Clearly, a lasting peace between India and Pakistan is essential to ensure a stable and prosperous South Asia. The political leadership in both our countries has a solemn obligation to work in concert to realise this noble vision. “History beckons us to rise to the challenge and grasp the opportunities to create boundless prosperity in our ancient land. If we fail to grasp these opportunities our people will not excuse us for the economy of vision and courage.

“…we cannot rewrite the past, but we can build a more secure future. A future that generates people’s trust and confidence in the political leadership in South Asia. We must find practical ways and means to resolve all outstanding issues between us in a reasonable, pragmatic manner, cognizant of the ground realities.

“The composite dialogue between the two countries, covering all outstanding issues, is encouraging. The confidence-building measures introduced have generated widespread enthusiasm. The bus service between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad has tapped a latent reservoir of public support for stronger people-to-people contact between the two countries, especially among those living on either side of the LoC. The peace process and the composite dialogue need to be carried forward with even greater determination. However, in order to take forward and sustain the dialogue process, acts of terrorism must be prevented and we must together fight the scourge of terrorism in our region.

“Our people and our common destiny urge us to make an earnest attempt to find a lasting solution to all issues. In a globalising and increasingly integrated world, borders have lost meaning for much of the world. The journey of peace must be based on a step-by-step approach, but the road must be travelled. As an ancient saying goes, a road is made by walking. Mr President, let us travel together on this path, to realise our shared vision of what the future holds for all of us.

“Thank you.”