India opens a window in the sky—and sea

Rao carefully clarified that an end to the overflight ban did not mean that Pakistani airlines could land in New Delhi and restart passenger services. ‘‘Our response will be in a sequence. We have a menu of options,’’ she pointed out.

But deep in the recesses of South Block, another pawn on the India-Pakistan chessboard lay waiting to be played. Harsh Bhasin, New Delhi’s newly appointed High Commissioner to Pakistan, who returned from his post at a New York university recently, was said to be ‘‘preparing himself for his new assignment,’’ sources in the government here said.

The sources were quick to point out that Bhasin’s ‘‘agreement’’—diplomatese for permission for the High Commissioner’s appointment from the host country—was not being sought yet from Islamabad, but admitted the fact that he had returned home and was now preparing to join his new post in Islamabad, indicating that it would be done sooner than later.

Clearly, though, today’s three-step response is only the first in a series of actions being undertaken by New Delhi in response to the General’s assurances to the US that he had ordered a permanent end to infiltration. Sources said New Delhi’s trust in the General to deliver did not mean, however, that his orders would be faithfully carried out by the ‘‘jehadi’’ organisations on the ground. For instance, they said, an infiltration attempt had again taken place yesterday in the Kashmir valley. Under the circumstances, New Delhi would continue to ‘‘verify and monitor’’ before making public any other action.

Nevertheless, the government’s response, though not as dramatic as that promised by Islamabad, has also carefully been made with an eye to Rumsfeld’s visit to Delhi. He arrives tomorrow night and will have a series of meetings through Wednesday morning—beginning with a breakfast session with Principal Secretary Brajesh Mishra—before emplaning for Pakistan in the early afternoon.

Rumsfeld will carry New Delhi’s announcement as well as undercover response back to Islamabad. Sources said the order on the naval ships should please Rumsfeld even though the US seems to be looking for more to reduce military tension without compromising on saving face for both leaders.

On top of Washington’s wishlist is said to be a return to dialogue by both sides. To begin the process, sources here said, New Delhi could also look at ‘‘de-alerting’’ its army and air force. Moreover, Indian soldiers on the international border in Rajasthan, for example, could be given some home leave.

Analysts pointed out that today’s ‘‘measured response’’ also meant that the government would seek to impress upon Rumsfeld that the permanent end to infiltration by Pakistan would also imply the ‘‘dismantling’’ of terrorist training camps in Pakistani territory.