Indian PM hopes for peace with Pakistan

NEW DELHI, March 26 (UPI) -- Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee said Friday he hopes closer ties with Pakistan would lead to a permanent peace between the two rivals.

"I hope we don't miss this opportunity and this will be permanent peace," he said during a rally for his ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. "This friendship is going to last as it is in the interest of both the countries."

The comments comes as the two countries have engaged in closer diplomatic, sporting and cultural exchanges in a bid to end more than five decades of hostility that have seen three wars between them.

"This time we are believing in their humanitarianism and our strength," Vajpayee said. "There is no other option but to solve all problems through talks."

Pakistan wants the disputed region of Kashmir to be the centerpiece of talks between the two nuclear-armed rivals. On Friday, Vajpayee conceded the Kashmir dispute could only be solved through dialogue.

" If you (Pakistan) make claims on Kashmir, even then we have no other way but to hold talks," he said.