ISLAMABAD, Dec 11: Suggesting a new forum for talks with India on counter-terrorism, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has proposed regular meetings of National Security Advisers (NSAs) of the two countries for insulating bilateral relations from effects of terrorism.

The prime minister, who was talking to Indian High Commissioner T.C.A Raghavan, here on Wednesday, stressed that the process for normalisation of relations must remain on track.

Incidentally, the meeting took place a day before the prime minister’s younger brother Shahbaz Sharif, who is Chief Minister of Punjab, embarks on a visit to India. Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs is accompanying the chief minister.

“Pakistan and India should institutionalise the mechanism of meetings between National Security Advisers of the two countries to discuss matters related to terrorism. It will help allay concerns of the two sides,” Mr Sharif was quoted as saying by his office.

Even though a dispute over Kashmir remains at the core of troubled Pak-India ties terrorism has become a major issue over the past few years. Since November 2008 Mumbai attacks, Delhi has twice suspended the peace process with Pakistan on the pretext of terrorist attacks.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in his speech at the United Nations denounced Pakistan as sponsor of terrorism.

The peace talks that have been suspended since the start of the year had an exclusive segment for dealing with terrorism. Earlier, the two countries had a Joint Anti-Terrorism Mechanism, but none of these mechanisms delivered.

Raising counter-terror dialogue to the level of National Security Advisers is the latest idea to have been floated by Islamabad for restarting the stalled dialogue at least on the most pressing issue of terrorism.

The prime minister, who was at the centre of a controversy last week for having reportedly said that Kashmir could cause another war with India, told the Indian envoy that “I am convinced that we have no option but to normalise relations for the sake of peace and betterment of our peoples”.

He said that Pakistan believed in having friendly relationship with all its neighbours especially India, with whom all outstanding issues would be dealt with “peacefully and diplomatically”.

Mr Sharif expressed satisfaction over continuing calm on the Line of Control that witnessed frequent ceasefire violations this year and reiterated call for a meeting of directors general of military operations of both