India, Pak should resolve all disputes through talks: MPs

She made the remarks while addressing a reception hosted by Indian High Commissioner Sharat Sabharwal here this evening.

"We want to resolve all disputes through negotiations and dialogue," Kumar said in her speech in Urdu.

She said parliamentarians from both countries were playing a key role in promoting bilateral relations and enhancing people-to-people contacts.

The dialogue process between India and Pakistan has been making progress since it was resumed last year and it would be useful for strengthening ties, she added.

Parliamentary groups of the two sides should meet frequently so that lawmakers can learn from each others experiences and share ideas, Kumar said.

A new visa regime currently being examined by the Home and Interior Ministries of the two countries will help in promoting people-to-people relations as it will ease restrictions on travellers, she said.

Kumar, who is visiting Pakistan with a parliamentary delegation at the invitation of her Pakistani counterpart Fehmida Mirza, has impressed politicians and the media by speaking at all her public engagements in flawless Urdu.

She said she had brought good wishes for the people of Pakistan from the people and the parliament of India. She said the Indian people desired a strong friendship with the people of Pakistan.

Referring to her visit to historical sites at Taxila earlier in the day, Kumar said this showed that the two countries have very close and strong bonds of cultural heritage.

She emphasized the need to promote interaction at all levels, adding that India wants that its progress to be beneficial to its neighbours.

While quoting the verses of various Urdu poets, Kumar said Urdu has played an important role in bringing the people of the two sides together.

The reception was attended by National Assembly Speaker Fehmida Mirza, several members of Pakistan`s cabinet, parliamentarians of major political parties, including Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, PML-Q chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain diplomats, intellectuals, lawyers and journalists.