NEW DELHI, Dec 20: Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has again welcomed President General Pervez Musharraf's ideas on Kashmir and told a public meeting in Amritsar he will strive to remove all hurdles to sign a treaty of peace, security and friendship with Pakistan.

"I too have a vision regarding India and Pakistan," he said.

"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.

"I have spoken in the past about such a treaty and I do so once again today from the same place. I am sure that we can overcome all hurdles in our path and realise such a treaty. This will become the instrument for realising our collective destiny and the basis for enduring peace and prosperity in the region," he said.

The Indian government had been trying its best to ensure an atmosphere of peace with Pakistan and improve bilateral relations, said Dr Singh.

"Last week, I had read about some new ideas and thoughts expressed from Pakistan," he said, clearly referring to Gen Musharraf's four-step, staggered approach for resolving the Kashmir issue.

"We welcome all ideas as they contribute to the ongoing thought process. If both sides approach issues with an open and friendly mind, and work together on resolving each of these, then it will be possible for us to resolve all pending issues through a dialogue process," he said.

The Indian prime minister reiterated that the destinies of the two nations were interlinked.

"We need to put the past behind us. We need to think about our collective destiny, a destiny where both neighbours can work jointly towards a better future for their citizens. If our minds are determined and focused on this goal, I am confident that this destiny can be realised," he said.

Dr Singh had inaugurated the Amrtisar-Nankana Sahib bus in March this year when again he made some positive comments that still ring true.

He had, for example, recalled telling Gen Musharraf during his trip to Delhi last year that "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".

On Wednesday he appeared to endorse precisely that approach, now also joined by Gen Musharraf by way of interviews he has given to Indian correspondents. Much of the peace effort seems to be getting its thrust from the Punjab.

"In many ways, Amritsar is my home," Dr Singh said, adding: "In 1947, when India gained Independence, my family settled in Amritsar. I still have fond memories of the Amritsar of those days…Amritsar was the foremost centre for India's trading and commercial relations with Afghanistan, Iran and Central Asia."

“Since the Partition, while saying the morning prayers every morning, every Sikh has been expressing the wish and fond hope that they should once again have easy access to those religious places which are now in Pakistan,” he said.

"In the last two and a half years, we have improved our relations with Pakistan. It has been our sincere endeavour to establish an atmosphere of peace between our two countries so that both countries can live in harmony.

"As a result of our efforts, many bus services have started between the two countries, the benefits of which have accrued to the people of Punjab as well. Bus services continue between Amritsar and Lahore and Amritsar and Nankana Sahib.

"The movement of trucks between the two countries has also become simpler. This has greatly facilitated the easy movement of people and goods. Trade has increased and Amritsar has benefited. I am confident that if we continue on this path of peace, then Amritsar can once again regain its glory as a major centre of trade and commerce. I believe that this is possible and we will make it happen. This is not a dream, it can be a reality," he said.

The prime minister said he was certain that peace with Pakistan would bring prosperity to the border regions of Indian Punjab.

"If the border areas of Punjab have to develop rapidly, then such a treaty (of peace) is essential. I am aware that the residents of border areas of Amritsar, Gurdaspur and Ferozepur have been facing a lot of difficulties because they live close to the international boundary. There are difficulties in cultivating their fields and prospects for industrial growth appear poor. If we are able to increase our trade and commercial relations with Pakistan, these deprived areas would certainly benefit a lot.

“However, without waiting for that day, India has started work on many other initiatives. Last month, civilian flights began from Pathankot airport, increasing the connectivity of that area. We have started an industrial park project in Batala which will improve the industrial infrastructure there. In order to facilitate cultivation of farms in border areas, we have increased the duration for which farmers can cross the border fence to work their fields. They will now be able to work much longer than before along the entire 500km length of the border," he said.