PM visit only if Pakistan works for better ties

India wants to see “substantial progress” in bilateral ties with Pakistan, before PM Manmohan Singh decides to visit the neighbouring country. Then only the visit, which requires a “lot of preparations” can be “credible, and useful,” official sources said here on Thursday. Jayanth Jacob reports.

India wants to see “substantial progress” in bilateral ties with Pakistan, before PM Manmohan Singh decides to visit the neighbouring country.

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Then only the visit, which requires a “lot of preparations” can be “credible, and useful,” official sources said here on Thursday. Meanwhile, India and Pakistan are looking at making progress in improving the economic ties under the new government headed by Nawaz Sharif.

“The PM will visit Pakistan when there is a substantial progress in our relationship. The visit, which requires a lot of preparations, has to be credible and useful,” official source said.

They said India has reciprocated Sharif’s intent to “build on” India and Pakistan relationship and that was the purpose of PM Manmohan’s special envoy Satinder Lambah calling on the new Pakistan PM even before he took office. Both sides are also looking at improving the business and trade ties. Continuing from where they left last year at the commerce secretary level talks, the two countries are working on India selling both power and gas.