Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee on Sunday expressed hope that a breakthrough reached with Pakistan last week would open a "new chapter" in the troubled history of the two South Asian countries.
"We hope the agreement reached in Islamabad would be fully implemented and a new chapter is opened," Vajpayee told a rally here.
"Now no one will be allowed to infiltrate. We have proper arrangements on the border and we also have an agreement," Vajpayee said.
"I am confident that this new year has come with the message of peace. We want peace on the borders and we also want peace within the country," Vajpayee said.
"Whatever change is to happen should happen through peace and democracy, not through guns. I want to tell the youth to prepare for a glorious future."
The prime minister said he had spent his tenure trying to make peace with Pakistan, including a bus trip to Lahore in 1999 and the summit with Musharraf, but those attempts all failed.
"But we didn't lose hope. After all, we are neighbours. We have to live together. This is why we have been taking steps. And, in Srinagar last year, I again offered a hand of friendship. I am happy that, even though late, the hand has been accepted," Vajpayee added.