Making it clear that there was no question of division or fresh partition of Jammu and Kashmir, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Sunday hoped the militancy-hit state becomes a symbol of cooperation between India and Pakistan and the Line of Control a line of peace.
"Our dialogue with Pakistan seeks to end the bitter legacy of the last 60 years, and begin a new chapter in our bilateral relations. I hope and believe that Jammu and Kashmir can, one day, become a symbol of India-Pakistan cooperation rather than of conflict," the prime minister said at a convocation at the Jammu University.
"As I have stated earlier, borders cannot be changed, but they can be made irrelevant. There can no be question of divisions or fresh partitions, but the Line of Control can become a line of peace with a freer flow of ideas, goods, services and people," he said after receiving the Degree of Doctor of Letters (Honoris Causa).
The prime minister, however, said this could happen once terrorism and violence end permanently.
"Real political power in a democracy comes from the ballot box, not the barrel of a gun. We are firm in our resolve to fight terrorism and to end the blackmail of terror in this peace-loving state.
We are committed to winning the hearts and minds of all. We will never allow anyone to stop the heartbeat of peace-loving people in whatever cause," he said.
Dr Singh said the Centre would continue its dialogue process with Pakistan "despite difficulties" as it genuinely believed that there was no alternative but to work for building peace.
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