Surgical strike by New Delhi: kinder, gentler

Two-and-half-year-old Noor Fatima was among the first batch of passengers from Lahore to Delhi on July 11 when the bus service was resumed after a gap 18 months. She had a hole in her heart and was successfully operated upon at a Bangalore Hospital.

The response to the Noor Fatima case here, sources said, has been largely responsible for New Delhi making this gesture to improve people-to-people contact between both countries. It is learnt that New Delhi will adopt a ‘‘flexible’’ approach while shortlisting cases for medical treatment and also suggest hospitals where the case may be referred to. Officials stressed that New Delhi was prepared to begin this exercise the moment Islamabad gave a nod to the Indian High Commission there.

Khan, for his part, formally proposed the resumption of rail links asking Sinha to consider restarting the Samjhauta Express soon. Official sources, however, said New Delhi drew Khan’s attention to the pending proposal for initiating technical-level talks to resume civil aviation links. (While Pakistan has expressed willingness to host the meeting, no dates have so far been proposed.)

South Block officials said Islamabad must show some alacrity on this issue while suggesting resumption of the Samjhauta Express. They pointed to the fact that Pakistan Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali has been indicating a revival of rail links since May 6, but his Government has not displayed similar enthusiasm on the civil aviation front.

At today’s meeting, Sinha underlined the “step-by-step” approach adopted by New Delhi in normalising relations with Islamabad. According to a MEA spokesperson, the External Affairs Minister conveyed to Khan the need for building on the successes achieved and the confidence generated.

‘‘He (Sinha) drew attention to the need for Pakistan to cooperate with India to deal with the problem of terrorism. He also expressed confidence that the Pakistan Government would make necessary efforts to prevent these terrorists from derailing the peace process,’’ he said.

It is learnt that Pakistan High Commissioner was also reminded Islamabad is still to grant permission to Indian High Commissioner Shiv Shankar Menon to present his credentials. Nearly 10 days after his arrival, Menon has apparently received no communication on this matter.