New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Sunday made it clear that there was no question of division or fresh partition of Jammu and Kashmir.
Singh, speaking at the convocation at the Jammu University said he hoped the strife-torn 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," news agency PTI quoted the Prime Minister as saying.
"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 added.
Singh, who received the Degree of Doctor of Letters (Honoris Causa), added that the Line of Control could become a line of peace when terrorism and violence in the state ends 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 black mail 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," the PM said.
Singh also 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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