New Delhi, Apr 30: Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) today hailed the initiative of India and Pakistan to break ice and said the party was of the "considered opinion that the two countries should involve neutral international mediators in the peace process". "Repeatedly sticking to the basics of Simla agreement and bilateral talks is meaningless, outdated and a frustrated litany of the past," SAD(A) president Simranjit Singh Mann said in a statement underlining that detente is the key to peace process in South Asia. He said as the process of talks is likely to be a protracted affair, the party hopes that both sides would not wait for long and take immediate steps to start cultural and sports exchanges and restore high level diplomatic officials and staff between the two countries. Appealing for immediate restarting of the bus, train and air services between the two countries, he said Sikhs are keen to go to Pakistan to observe the martyrdom anniversary of Guru Arjan Dev. "We also want the two neighbours to destroy their nuclear weapons," he added.

"We also want the two neighbours to destroy their nuclear weapons," he added.

Bureau Report