ISLAMABAD. Sept 8: Indian

Rao. has underlined the need for building a tenstonfree and cooperating relationship with Pakistan on the basis of the Simla agreement, reports PTI.

The Interests of the people of our two countries and of peace and stability tn the region lies tn such a relationship.' he stated and said the

sis for such retationahtp.

In an Interview published today In The Muslim.' Rao hoped that Pakistan would also work towards creating the right climate for improving bilateral ties.

Reiterating that Jammu and Kashmir Is an Integral part of India, he said India had made It clear to Pakistan that Islamabad's support to terrorist and secessionist forces in Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir must cease if there was to be a genuine and sustained Improvement tn relations between the two countries.

Replying to question on the Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharifs recent proposal for a

five-nation conference on nuclear issue In South Asia. Rao said the proposal was a tactic to ease pressure in US Congress to suspend military and economic aid to Pakistan because of mounting evidences that it had assembled nuclear

Last October, the US administration had suspended military and economic aid to Islamabad on President Bush • failure to certify that Pakistan did not possess nudes

The Indian Prime Minister said he had Sharif had spoken to each other on the telephone. There were a number of official level meetings scheduled tn the coming weeks between the two countries.

"We are. of course, ready for a dialogue at any level, which Is likely to produce results and after necessary preparations have been made.'

On China Rao said India was confident of resolving the complex border Issue so that the two countries could devote more time on extending cooperation as the world's largest developing countries.'