Invitation to Pak PM reflects India's ''holistic'' approach

New Delhi, Mar 29: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's invitation to his Pakistani counterpart Yousuf Raza Gilani to watch the Indo-Pak World Cup cricket semifinal at Mohali does not in anyway mean any compromise on the issue of cross-border terrorism, Congress said.

Party spokesman Manish Tewari said that the Prime Minister's overture was reflective of India's "holistic" approach towards friendly relations with that country and it does not mean any compromise on the issue of terrorism.

"India has always been desirous of friendly relations with Pakistan. Notwithstanding setbacks, successive Indian administrations have made overtures to the authorities there, civilian or military."

"We have always been firm that there is minimun requirement for normalistion of relations. We have certain expectations from Pakistan particularly in regard to terrorism and we have never made any compromises on that. It is a holistic approach towards Pakistan", he said noting that the invitation was a well thought out move.

A section of the Congress is however, apprehensive, about the way things could play out if Pakistan wins the Mohali match.

In such an eventuality, Pakistan will play the final in the ICC World Cup which is scheduled in Mumbai. For a Pakistan team to play in Mumbai in the backdrop of the 26/11 terror strikes carried out by Pak-based terrorists appears a tall order, this section apprehends.

PTI