'Message from Mohali is that people want peace'

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has said that India and Pakistan should put their "ancient animosities" behind them and a "permanent reconciliation" was required so that the two neighbours "live with dignity and honour".

A victory for cricket and two countries: Pakistan PM 

Speaking at the dinner he hosted for his Pakistani counterpart Yusuf Raza Gilani during the India-Pakistan World Cup cricket semi final match at Mohali, Dr Singh said the two countries "should be working together to find cooperative solutions and need permanent reconciliation to live together in dignity and honour".

"We should put our ancient animosities behind us to attend to the problems of our nations," he said.

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Later, Dr Singh told PTV that "whatever be the differences between our two countries, we have to find ways to resolve them".

"Gilani-sahab and I have had extensive discussions on all outstanding issues and we have reaffirmed our resolve that there are difficulties in the way but we will make every honest effort to overcome those difficulties". he said.

"And the message from Mohali is that the people of India and Pakistan want to live in peace and amity and that the two PMs have committed their governments to work in that direction.

Dr Singh said he was "very grateful" to Gilani for "having accepted my invitation to join me in watching this beautiful game of cricket".

"Cricket", the Prime Minister said, "has been a uniting factor. It has brought our two PMs together and I daresay that's a very good beginning".