"In 1945-46, when the partition of India appeared almost inevitable, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru wrote in his book "The Discovery of India" and, I quote, "It is obvious that whatever be the future of India, even if there is regular partition, the different parts of India will have to co-operate with each other, in a hundred different ways". And after the partition he declared his belief that "it is to India’s advantage that Pakistan should be a secure and a prosperous state with which we can develop close and friendly relations." Quaid-e-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah expressing the same sentiment to the press said that "now that the division of India has been brought about by a solemn agreement between the two dominions we should bury the past and resolve that despite all that has happened, we shall remain friends. There are many things which we need from each other as neighbours, morally, materially and politically, and thereby raise the prestige and status of both dominions". It is this vision of the future articulated by the leaders of both our countries that we have to pursue as the unfinished agenda of partition for resolving all the differences between us and for ensuring peace and prosperity for our people.

"We in India hold fast to the fundamentals of tolerance and secular democratic principles and it is our conviction that on the basis of these principles India and Pakistan can regulate their relationship to one of genuine peace, friendship and co-operation. History has left behind many issues and problems between our two countries. But the major and the overriding issue for the millions that inhabit the sub-continent is that of poverty, illiteracy and ill health. When you and the Prime Minister of India sit together in Agra, I hope the face of the poorest person in the sub-continent will be before you and you will ponder together how this impoverished common man will be benefited by your deliberations and decisions. If this is held before you, I believe that all other issues between us will pale into secondary importance and will become amenable to amicable and satisfactory solutions.

"There are many fields in which we can work together and co-operate constructively for the benefit of our people. Let us remove all impediments in the path of interaction between our people. Let our scholars, artists, writers and professionals, and above all our common people meet freely and sense the warmth of fraternal friendship. Let us join our forces and the talents of our gifted people to make development and the blessings of modern science and technology available for the benefit of our people. It is only common sense that for this purpose we need an atmosphere of peace and mutual confidence between us. We have to rule out violence from our relationship. We seek friendly relations with all states, particularly with those in our neighbourhood. We believe that our region has to progress together even while each state safeguards and develops its individual and distinct personality and its own chosen way of life.

"Let us endeavour to build upon what we have agreed upon in the Shimla Agreement and the Lahore Declaration. At Shimla, we had solemnly declared that "the two countries put an end to the conflict and confrontation that have hitherto marred the relations". It is time to implement this eloquently stated desire of our two countries. I believe that the dialogue between India and Pakistan that we have initiated will evolve into a structured dialogue at the summit as well as other levels which will lead to the removal of all obstacles and misunderstandings that stand in our way and pave the way to the solutions of problems and the creation of enduring friendship between our two nations."