John Hume, one of the main architects of the 1998 Northern Ireland peace accord, on Friday expressed the hope that India and Pakistan would follow the example of Britain and Ireland and begin a dialogue to solve bilateral differences.

Hume was in the Indian capital to receive the international Gandhi Peace Prize for 2001.

In his acceptance speech, Hume said he believed India's independence hero, Mahatma Gandhi, would have wanted to see India's "troubled relationship with Pakistan" harnessed into "a transforming energy."

Citing the "transformation" in relations between the islands of Britain and Ireland, Hume said "dialogue and partnership" could replace "alienation" in the most difficult of circumstances.

"If there is anything we can share of value, we are more than ready to do so ... What I am certain is that change is possible," Hume said.

India and Pakistan are currently poised for war, with hundreds of thousands of troops massed on their common border following an attack on the Indian parliament which New Delhi has blamed on Pakistan-based militants.