India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said on Thursday that peace talks with Pakistan were "moving forward," and that he had invited Pakistan's President Gen. Pervez Musharraf to visit India for the countries' continuing cricket series. "Nothing brings the people of the subcontinent together more than our love for cricket and Bollywood," Singh said in a speech in the Lok Sabha, or lower house of Parliament. Bollywood refers to India's prolific film industry. India and Pakistan began a peace process last year. Singh met Musharraf last year on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, and his government has carried forward the dialogue started by his predecessor, Atal Bihari Vajpayee. "After my meeting with Gen. Musharraf, there has been a sustained dialogue on all items on the composite dialogue agenda," Singh told lawmakers. "We are moving forward." Cricket, he said, would help move things along. "I have decided to invite President Musharraf to come to India and watch the cricket match," Singh said. "I do hope (he) and his family will enjoy their visit to our country." After the current test match in the northern town of Mohali, Pakistan will play test matches in Calcutta and Bangalore, followed by six one-day international matches. Pakistan's foreign ministry spokesman said Wednesday that there had been an invitation, and that Musharraf was considering whether to make the trip.
