Indian and Pakistani peace activists converged on their countries' main border crossing on Friday to mark 10 years of campaigning for improved relations between the South Asian nuclear giants.
"The credit for friendship (moves) between Pakistan and India goes to our forum," said Ram Das, chairman of the Indian chapter of the Pakistan India People's Forum for Peace and Democracy, as he arrived for the festivities hosted by Pakistan.
The neighbouring countries, who came close to a fourth war just two years ago, are in the midst of a step-by-step peace process kick-started last year by India's then prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee.
Das crossed into Pakistan with some 66 Indian peace activists to attend the anniversary celebrations. They were met at the Wagah border by a rousing welcome from their Pakistani compatriots.
Banners slung across the border post proclaimed "Long Live Pakistan-India Friendship" and "Peace leads towards prosperity." Drummers played traditional bhangra dance beats as the peace activists embraced each other.
The celebrations fall on the eve of landmark talks between the foreign ministers of India and Pakistan in New Delhi starting Sunday.
"Just 10 years ago when peace activists in India and Pakistan laid down the foundation of the peace forum they were criticised by various peoples on both sides and even dubbed traitors, but we continued our struggle," Das told AFP.
"War is no solution, we want peace and dialogue process should continue."
Artists, children, peace activists and theater groups will perform over the two-day festivities in eastern city Lahore, just 40 kilometres from the border.
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