Anantnag (Jammu and Kashmir): Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said here Wednesday that the traditional tensions between India and Pakistan needed to be eased.

Addressing a large gathering before the inauguration of the 18-km Anantnag-Qazigund railway link, the prime minister, who spoke in Urdu, quoted an Urdu couplet in support of his future vision in India-Pakistan relations.

"Kabhi Asay Bi Manzar Aye Tareek Ki Nazar Mein/ Lamhu Nay Khata Ki aur Sadyoun Nay Saza Payi (History has sometimes witnessed such tragic events where a moment's mistake had to be borne through centuries of sufferings)," he said.

Manmohan Singh said India had reached out to Pakistan for friendship and cooperation. It was not a sign of weakness.

"In 2004, a fruitful dialogue was held with Pakistan for permanent resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir problem. For the first time in 60 years, people were able to travel across the Line of Control (LoC). Trade between India and Pakistan was increased three-fold and the visas given to Pakistan nationals for travelling to India were increased two times.

"These are no small achievements given our past tensions with Pakistan," he said.

Manmohan Singh said Pakistan needed to carry its war against terror to a logical conclusion.

"The terrorists want permanent enmity between India and Pakistan and Pakistan must control those who create trouble in India. If these are non-state actors, then Pakistan must destroy their terror infrastructure.

"Friendship and cooperation are in the best interests of India and Pakistan."

Singh also said the government had committed "unprecedented resources" for the "comprehensive reconstruction" of Jammu and Kashmir but regretted that the benefits were reaching people "slowly".

"Unprecedented resources have been committed to the state for its comprehensive reconstruction. But I recognise that the benefits are trickling down slowly. This state of affairs should change," Manmohan Singh said at his public rally before inaugurating a historic rail link to connect the northern and southern parts of the valley that will fulfil a long-felt need of its people

"In the last five years, the government of India has taken a number of steps to bring development to Jammu and Kashmir. We have tried to revive the traditional connectivity between the people of the region," he said.

The prime minister listed out the major projects and initiatives taken by the government.

-Reviving the trade and peoples' movement across the Line of Control on the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road and on the Poonch-Rawalakot road.

-Allocation of additional fund of Rs.385 crore to build the heritage Mughal Road that will connect south Kashmir Shopian with mountainous Poonch and Rajouri districts in Jammu.

-Additional Rs. 356 crore for conversation of the picturesque Dal Lake in Srinagar

"We have to speed up the pace of development in the state. We want to strengthen the hands of the state government so that they can implement an ambitious development agenda," he said.

The prime minister also urged that the elections to local bodies "be held quickly".

"This," he said, "will increase the people's participation in the processes of development."

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