Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president L.K. Advani has ruled out the possibility of a future merger between India and Pakistan but said a confederation of the two countries could be a probability.

"Pakistan and India are two independent countries and the possibility of their merger is far from reality," Advani said in an interview to the Jang group Sunday as he wrapped up his week-long visit to Pakistan that took him to Lahore, Islamabad and this city where he was born and spent the early years of his life.

 
Asked if he supported the concept of Akhand Bharat (undivided India), Advani said the idea was floated during the 1952 general election and met its end in 1957.

He, however, said India and Pakistan could form a confederation in the future on the lines of the European union.

Advani emphasised that both the government and the opposition parties in India were firmly united on the agenda of promoting peace and understanding between India and Pakistan.

He expressed the hope that his visit would help to further the peace process.

He urged people on both sides to be optimistic and patient as several problems between India and Pakistan including the longstanding Kashmir dispute would take time for resolution.
 
"If a person thinks that the differences between the two countries should come to an end overnight, this not a wholesome approach but rather it will be detrimental to the peace process," Advani said.

While conceding that some external influences had played a role in bringing both countries closer, he said India and Pakistan too had realised that without resolving their disputes and establishing peace they could not achieve socio-economic progress.