NEW DELHI: Often described as the sole architect of India's new initiative to re-engage Pakistan, PM Manmohan Singh has said that he would consider his job well done only if ties between the two countries normalized. The government under Singh has taken a series of steps to revive ties with Islamabad, the most recent being the decision to resume cricketing ties with Pakistan.
Asked by journalists on board Air India One on his way back from Kazakhstan about five things he would like to achieve in relations with Pakistan, Singh, said, "Five would be too much. Well, if I can succeed in normalizing relations between India and Pakistan, as they should prevail between two normal states, I will consider my job well done.''
According to a recently released WikiLeaks cable, Singh has led the push for peace with Pakistan despite misgivings from members of his own administration, including the national security adviser.
Last month, Singh had invited his Pakistani counterpart Yousaf Raza Gilani to watch the India-Pakistan World Cup semi-final at Mohali, giving a diplomatic boost to normalising ties between the two countries. New Delhi had suspended composite dialogue with Islamabad after the 26/11 Mumbai attack that left 166 people dead. India says militants from Pakistan orchestrated the mayhem and massacre in Mumbai.
In a major confidence-building measure ahead of the match, Islamabad also agreed to let Indian investigators travel to Pakistan to probe the Mumbai assault. Their foreign ministers are due to meet in July. For Singh, the push for peace may be a way of regaining the policy initiative after his government has been battered by months of corruption scandals that could dent Congress's chances this year.
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