WASHINGTON, Sept 14: British Prime Minister Tony Blair and President Pervez Musharraf agreed on Wednesday that the resolution of differences between India and Pakistan would establish lasting peace and prosperity in the South Asian region.

Mr Blair, who met Gen Musharraf in New York on Wednesday on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, also welcomed the recent meeting between the Pakistani and Israeli foreign ministers and said that he looked forward to continued progress in the Middle East peace process.

Mr Blair said he believed that “bold and sustained efforts by Pakistan and India to resolve all outstanding issues” would ultimately bring a durable peace to the region, said a joint statement issued after the meeting. He noted that in a joint declaration issued in April, India and Pakistan had resolved to ensure that their peace process remained “irreversible.”

He also welcomed their agreement to continue the dialogue in “a sincere, purposeful and forward looking manner for a final settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir issue.” The British and Pakistani leaders reiterated their support to the government of President Hamid Karzai as it works to “develop a stable, peaceful, democratic and prosperous Afghanistan.” They also assured their support to Mr Karzai’s efforts to hold the Sept 18 parliamentary elections in Afghanistan in a peaceful manner. “The prime minister emphasised the United Kingdom’s long-term commitment to Afghanistan. The president undertook to continue to deepen and intensify Pakistan’s cooperation on security issues with Afghanistan,” the statement said.

The two leaders expressed their concerns at increased narcotics production in Afghanistan and agreed to continue their cooperation in preventing the growth and processing of opiates in the region, and their trafficking and abuse worldwide.

The British and Pakistani leaders agreed that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq must be preserved. They welcomed the recent agreement in Iraq on a draft constitution and urged all Iraqis to take part in the forthcoming referendum and elections.

They emphasised the importance of the peaceful completion of the transitional process as well as an end to violence and terrorism.