India has, through dialogue, consistently endeavoured to build a relationship of durable peace, stability and cooperative friendship with Pakistan. Our common enemy is poverty. For the welfare of our peoples, there is no other recourse but a pursuit of the path of reconciliation, of engaging in productive dialogue and by building trust and confidence. I invite you to walk this high road with us.

  “When I visited Lahore in February in 1999, with the objective of beginning a new chapter in our bilateral relations, I had recorded at the Minar-e-Pakistan that a ‘stable, secure and prosperous Pakistan is in India’s interest’; that remains our conviction.

  “We have to pick the threads again, including renewing the composite dialogue, so that we can put in place a stable structure of cooperation and address all outstanding issues, including J&K.

  “I have the pleasure to extend a most cordial invitation to Begum Musharraf and you to visit India at your early convenience. “Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.

- (A.B. Vajpayee)

Musharraf’s reply:

  “Excellency, thank you for your letter of 24 May 2001. I accept your invitation to me and my wife to visit India, with great pleasure.

  Pakistan has always sought to establish tension-free and cooperative relations with India, so that our two peoples may be able to devote their resources and energies to the task of economic and social development. We wish to see a stable and prosperous India at peace with its neighbours.

  At the begining of the new century, our two countries must do their utmost to overcome the legacy of distrust and hostility, in order to build a brighter future for our peoples.

  The root cause of tension between our two countries is the unresolved J&K dispute. I, therefore, look forward to sincere and candid discussions with you to resolve the issue of J&K in accordance with the wishes of the Kashmiri people. We are ready to discuss all other outstanding issues between our two countries as well. Please accept, excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.

  - Gen. Pervez Musharraf
 

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