India lacks 'passion' for peace: Pak PM

"I believe you must have a passion for peace. We in Pakistan, President (Pervez) Musharraf and I, have a passion for peace. I have yet to see this passion on the part of India," Aziz told Outlook magazine.

He blamed India for slowing down a peace process launched between the neighbours in 2004 after New Delhi put off talks following train blasts in Mumbai earlier this month that left 183 people dead.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh accused "elements from across the border" of helping the Mumbai attackers, warning it would be difficult to pursue peace talks if such "acts of terrorism are not controlled."

In response Pakistan demanded that India supply proof to support its charges and offered to help in investigations into the blasts.

Aziz said talks were the only way to resolve the nearly six decades of hostility between the nuclear-armed neighbours.

"Let us talk and see what we can do to help each other," he said.

After the bombings that also injured more than 800, the countries have traded barbs blaming each other for the impasse in the dialogue.

Top foreign ministry officials from the two countries are now scheduled to meet in Bangladesh for the first time since the blasts on the sidelines of a South Asian forum on August 1.

The peace process, begun after India and Pakistan came to the brink of a fourth war, has brought greater trade, transportation and people-to-people links.

But there has been no breakthrough on their dispute over Kashmir, trigger of two of three wars between the neighbours since 1947.

The Himalayan region is divided between the two but claimed in full by both.