Invite is formal, reply too

In a calibrated response today to Pakistan Prime Minister Mir Zafarrullah Khan Jamali8217;s formal invitation to visit Pakistan, Prime Mini...

In a calibrated response today to Pakistan Prime Minister Mir Zafarrullah Khan Jamali8217;s formal invitation to visit Pakistan, Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee has conveyed to him that an interaction at the highest level be preceded by careful preparations to create a conducive atmosphere for dialogue.

Vajpayee, who set the ball rolling for normalising relations between both countries, has written a letter to his counterpart, highlighting the need to build a cogenial environment before resuming high-level talks.

While stating that New Delhi was willing to 8216;8216;grasp every opportunity8217;8217; to improve bilateral ties, an MEA spokesperson said, the PM also made it clear that ending cross-border terrorism will be crucial to creating the right atmosphere.

8216;8216;We have repeatedly expressed the need to create a conducive atmosphere for a sustained dialogue which necessarily requires an end to cross-border terrorism and dismantling of its infrastructure,8217;8217; the spokesperson said.

Having already announced New Delhi8217;s decision to appoint a High Commissioner in Islamabad and restoration of air links, South Block officials said Pakistan should also reciprocate to these measures. Laying stress on a graduated and well-calibrated approach, officials added the need to prepare adequate ground before talks could resume.

In fact, the MEA spokesperson said the PM, in his letter, expected Islamabad to respond favourably to his gestures. 8216;8216;The PMhad made some announcements in Parliament8230; he has expressed hope that Pakistan will respond positively to the measures.8217;8217;

Earlier in the day, Islamabad handed over Jamali8217;s formal invitation to Vajpayee to India8217;s acting High Commissioner T C A Raghavan. IT was extended shortly after Jamali had a telephone conversation with US Secretary of State Colin Powell.

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Powell called up External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha to welcome the peace initiaves. In a 15-minute conversation from Damascus, Powell emphasised the need to normalise Indo-Pak ties.