Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf said ties between Pakistan and India were at an all-time best when he spoke about bilateral relations in an interview with Indian news channel CNN-IBN on Monday.

"I think we have never had it this good," he said, adding that his assertion was proved by the fact that he was giving the interview, and the number of visits by Indian politicians to Pakistan.

The president talked about security issues affecting the two countries, and when asked about cross-border terrorism hampering the peace process, he said, "Let us close this chapter and let us not keep hanging on this (issue), which we have been doing for the last 15 years."

He also expressed disappointment with the slow process of peace talks with India. "A degree of disappointment is gradually setting in me", the president said.

Musharraf said he was open and was trying to throw up ideas during the peace dialogue. However, he said, "there is not much response from the Indian side, that is why the disappointment."

Musharraf also responded to criticism leveled against him in the Pakistani media over the joint statement on the Kashmir peace process he signed with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in April last year.

He said "the press is free absolutely, so there is criticism always. But I think on the Kashmir process generally, the majority of people are in support of whatever I am doing."

Source: Xinhua