“It is my new birth,” said 67-year-old Singh, who was released on Monday night from a Lahore prison getting a pardon from Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf after being convicted on espionage charges.

Kashmir Singh had tears in his eyes as he crossed over to the Indian side of the Indo-Pak border here at 12:45 pm and was greeted by his wife and son.

Singh was brought in an official vehicle symbolising efforts by India and Pakistan to normalise relations. “Never have we seen before an Indian prisoner being escorted in a flag car of a minister,” said Pakistan Human Rights Minister Ansar Burney who accompanied him. Singh was arrested in 1973 when he was a 26-year-old trader in electronic goods. He was  convicted of spying and sentenced to death by a military court.

Singh said, “I have no wishes left. I have got everything now. I thank President Pervez Musharraf and Human Rights Minister Ansar Burney.”