26 November 2004	Friday	13 Shawwal 1425

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NEW DELHI, Nov 25: India on Thursday suggested to Pakistan that they follow the Sino-India model of 'patient' negotiations, a day after the two countries failed to make any breakthrough in bilateral talks.

Indian Foreign Minister Kunwar Natwar Singh also told a news conference that a train service with Pakistan across the Rajasthan-Sindh border would resume next year, possibly by Oct 2, Mahatma Gandhi's birthday. The rail link was suspended during the 1965 war.

"We are engaged in a sustained and comprehensive dialogue process from which we will not be deflected by transient developments and often contradictory pronouncements," Mr Singh said.

Welcoming Pakistan's readiness to discuss all other issues besides Kashmir, Mr Singh advocated that India and Pakistan should develop their relations based on the Sino-India model.

This could help boost bilateral trade in a big way while talks on Kashmir and other issues could continue, he said. "More economic interaction may lead to a satisfactory political outcome," he told the news conference held to mark the completion of six months of the government.

Mr Natwar stressed, however, that bilateral trade between India and China, which are engaged in negotiations to find a solution to their boundary dispute, was set to touch $12 billion this year, whereas India-Pakistan trade was just about $400 million, far below its potential. "It is good news that our Pakistani friends have agreed to talk not only Kashmir but also other issues," he said.

AFP ADDS: Also, Mr Natwar said that regional autonomy could be a solution to the Kashmir issue, a stance already rejected by some of the APHC leaders. "We have made it clear that as far as regional autonomy is concerned, the sky is the limit," he said.

He noted a 1994 parliamentary resolution stating that the whole of Jammu and Kashmir was an integral part of India. "I think this is where statesmanship comes in, that we should be able to resolve this particular question fully keeping in mind our vital national interests and commitment to parliament," he said.

Senior APHC leader Syed Ali Geelani categorically ruled out autonomy as a solution. He told a press conference in Srinagar that India wanted a resolution of the dispute on 'the lines of autonomy'. "But we will oppose it tooth and nail," said Mr Geelani.