Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Wednesday expressed his wish that India and Pakistan would create history by signing a treaty of peace, security and friendship, according to New Delhi TV.

"I earnestly hope that the relations between our two countries become so friendly and that we generate such an atmosphere of trust between each other that the two nations would be able to agree on a Treaty of Peace, Security and Friendship," Singh told a public rally in Amritsar, India.

He pointed out that there was no dispute the two South Asian neighbors would not be able to resolve if they approached them with an open and friendly mind.

"The destinies of our two nations are interlinked. We need to put the past behind us," he said.

The Indian prime minister also advocated more people-to-people contacts and bus services between the two countries, which have fought three wars since their independence from Britain in 1947.

At the same time, Singh hailed "new ideas" in response to Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf's four-point proposal to solve the Kashmir issue. The four points are joint management of Kashmir, demilitarization, self-governance, and making the Line of Control irrelevant.

"Last week I had read about some new ideas and thoughts expressed from Pakistan. We welcome all ideas as they contribute to the ongoing thought process," he said.

In an interview to New Delhi TV early this month, President Musharraf said Pakistan is ready to give up its demand for Kashmir's independence and abandon its claim over Kashmir if India too moves away from its stated position on it.

(Xinhua News Agency December 21, 2006)