Riyadh, March 1 (IANS) Pakistan needs to 'act decisively against terrorism' if it seeks to benefit from trade and commerce with India, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said Monday.

'If there is cooperation between India and Pakistan, vast opportunities will open up for trade, travel and development that will create prosperity in both countries and in South Asia,' he told the Majlis-ash-Shura, the Saudi parliament.

But for this, he said, Pakistan needs to 'act decisively against terrorism'. He added that India's desire for cooperative relations with Pakistan was aimed at seeking permanent peace in South Asia.

Manmohan Singh said the challenge of terrorism was immense in Afghanistan, where a Taliban suicide attack Friday in Kabul left 17 people dead, including nine Indians.

'The people of Afghanistan have suffered for far too long. They deserve an atmosphere of peace and the opportunity to pursue a life of dignity and hope,' he said.

Manmohan Singh said the international community should support all sections of Afghan society and work towards the emergence of Afghanistan as a modern, stable and sovereign nation.