New Delhi, April 18, SPA -- The peace process between Indiaand Pakistan is now "irreversible," leaders of the two nations said Monday, announcing a series of agreements to increase trade and cross-border travel. With Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf standing besidehim, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said they had agreed tocontinue talks on the divided region of Kashmir, in "a sincere and purposeful manner" until they could find a settlement. "They determined that the peace process was nowirreversible," Singh said, reading from a joint statementthe two leaders had just signed. Among other things, the two countries agreed to: increasethe frequency of a cross-Kashmir bus service, which startedearlier this month; identify more places along the Kashmirfrontier that could be opened to traffic; revive a jointcommission to boost business ties; open consulates in theIndian city of Bombay and the Pakistani city of Karachi bythe end of the year. They also vowed not to allow terrorism to thwart the peaceprocess. The two sides also agreed to allow the movement of trucksacross their borders, a decision expected to lead toexponential growth in trade. "Enhanced economic and commercial cooperation wouldcontribute to the well-being of the peoples of the twocountries," Singh said, reading from the statement, addingthe two "leading economies of South Asia should worktogether for greater prosperity of the region." Over the weekend visit, the two countries also agreed tocreate a trade group to bring together business leadersfrom both countries in a bid to promote joint ventures. India and Pakistan have also decided to work in tandem tomeet their enormous demands for energy resources, an issuewhich will be explored further when petroleum ministersfrom both countries meet next month in Islamabad. Earlier, Musharraf said the talks with his Indiancounterpart were more successful than he had expected. At a breakfast meeting with Indian journalists earlier today in New Delhi, Musharraf said "Our achievements on all issues are more than what I expected." But on Kashmir, he said "it will need a lot of time and wisdom to arrive at a settlement. Let us go step by step."--SPA1117 Local Time 0817 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/255482