New Delhi, March 24 (IANS) Rooting out terrorism and militancy is essential for permanent peace and friendship between India and Pakistan, said former Pakistan prime minister Benazir Bhutto here Saturday as she called for the restoration of democracy in her country.

Saying that a democratic regime is the best bet for the success of the India-Pakistan peace process, Bhutto said that Kashmir is a "solvable problem that should not come in the way of furthering relations in other areas like trade, travel and people-to-people contacts between the two countries".

The Pakistan People's Party leader said when she comes to power she will ensure that the military returns to the barracks and there is civilian control. She said that she and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, currently living in exile in Saudi Arabia, had signed a charter of democracy and expressed their "commitment to peace with India".

"The challenge is to destroy militants so that they can't hold the peace process hostage," Bhutto said as she underlined the need for India and Pakistan to cooperate on the issue of terrorism.

"Militants are common enemies of peaceful relations between India and Pakistan," said Bhutto while speaking on "How to reinvent India-Pakistan relations creatively in the days to come" at the India Today conclave in Maurya Sheraton Saturday evening.

Alluding to the Samjhauta train bombings, she said that the train blasts in which 68 people died, mostly Pakistanis, demonstrated that the peace process was "fragile" and militants "need to be reined in to prevent them from derailing the process".

"Trade, not conflict with India, will be my top priority when I come to power," said Bhutto, while asserting that she would go back to Pakistan after eight years in exile to contest the forthcoming elections.

" I will fight dictatorship in 2007 and I will win."

"Restoration of democracy is a cause dear to our hearts. Pakistan is currently governed by a military regime. Without political participation it is difficult to advance the peace process."

Bhutto also underlined that 90 percent of stakeholders in Pakistan favour the peace process and close relations with India.

She said on the 60th year of independence of India and Pakistan, both countries should make a symbolic gesture and declare their resolve for permanent peace and friendship between them.

She said she was committed to bringing peace between India and Pakistan.

Citing the India-China relations as an example, Bhutto said that although India and China have a dispute with each other "they don't go to war".