India,Pak should have joint strategy for global challenges,change

It goes without saying that if oil prices rise,if there is unrest in West Asia it would affect both of us,both our countries enormously8230;. It is therefore very important that the two countries should increasingly look at all these developments from the point of view of our peoples needs,their aspirations and how working together we can find cooperative strategies to deal with these massive challenges that we face.

What has happened in Japan is unthinkable earthquake followed by tsunami and that followed by nuclear tragedy. But in this increasingly integrated world,peace and prosperity are both indivisible. And we are neighbours. Destiny requires that we should find cooperative solutions to all the problems that we face.

8230;That you have honoured me in accepting my invitation to join me in watching this beautiful match,I am very very grateful to you.

India and Pakistan face enormous challenges but also enormous opportunities. Our biggest enemy is poverty,ignorance and disease. If we work together to find cooperative solutions,if we do not allow ancient animosities to affect the possibility of working together in the contemporary setting of our region and the world,I dare say we can write a new chapter in the history of development cooperation in this subcontinent of ours.

8230;And in you we have a leader,a Prime Minister who inspires confidence. As I mentioned to you,you come from a family with the great tradition of Saint Miyan Mir who laid the foundation stone of the Golden Temple,the abode of peace. And God has given me this opportunity and I sincerely hope and pray that under your distinguished leadership,democracy will flourish in Pakistan.

8230;With these words I once again extend to you a very warm and cordial welcome. Though your stay here is very brief but you would have sensed how the love for sports is something which unites the people of our two countries and we should build on that.

And if we have to bridge the trust deficit,it is essential that at all levels we should work together. Political personalities must visit each others countries more often. Official contacts must be increased; civil society contact must be increased. And I am very happy that the presiding officer of our Lok Sabha and the presiding officer of the Rajya Sabha have sent invitations to their counterparts in Pakistan to come and pay a visit.

I dare say in moulding the future climate of opinion,parliamentarians have a very crucial role to play. I sincerely hope that parliamentarians from India and Pakistan would set in motion a process of permanent reconciliation between our two countries so that we can realise the aspirations of our people for a life of dignity and self-respect.