PM may visit Pakistan in July

New Delhi, Apr 30 (UNI) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is likely to visit Pakistan in July if the ongoing Indo-Pak negotiations on the troop withdrawal from the Siachen glacier are successful, senior Indian officials say.

However, India would closely monitor the level of infiltration from Pakistan in the months of May and June before taking a final decision on the visit.

The officials said usually the infiltration from the other side of the border increases in the summer once the snow starts melting.

The feeling in diplomatic circles is that the level of infiltration from Pakistan has considerably reduced but there is no guarantee that Islamabad will continue with this 'positive' trend in bilateral ties.

"If the situation remains normal on the border with no increase in infiltration, the Prime Minister may visit Pakistan in the second half of July," the officials said.

There are indications that Dr Singh is keen to visit the neighbouring country but feels that the two countries must reach some understanding on the Siachen and Sir Creek issues to create a conducive atmopshere for the success of his tour.

The officials indicated that negotiations were in an advanced stage on both the issues between India and Pakistan. However, the Army is said to have certain reservations over the proposed formula being worked out for the resolution.

In his recent comments, the Prime Minister had stated that he had been extended an invitation to visit Pakistan by President Pervez Musharraf and he would undertake the journey to the neighbouring country ''at an appropriate time.'' MORE UNI AT RL VP1102