Positive indicators coming from Pak: Mathai

New Delhi, Nov 5: Ahead of the bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Pakistani counterpart Yousuf Raza Gilani next week, India today (Nov 5) said there have been some "positive indicators" of "forward movement" from Islamabad.

Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai also said India was looking forward to the visit of the judicial commission from Pakistan in connection with the Mumbai terror attack case. "There have been some positive indicators in the last few weeks. The Joint Secretary has issued a statement on the release of the helicopter which strayed into their territory.

"This decision in principle by their cabinet on MFN... These are, we can say are indications of forward movement," Mathai said responding to a question on India's relations with Pakistan. He said Prime Minister is committed to building relations with Pakistan on a more stable and normal basis. Singh-Gilani meeting will come within days of an Indian Army chopper straying into Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) due to bad weather, an incident which was amicably resolved in record time by the two countries, surprising many.

"We would also look forward to the visit of judicial commission. This is another area..." Mathai said the Prime Minister has in principle agreed that he would hold bilateral talks with all the SAARC regional neigbhours and the schedule is being worked out.

PTI