Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had initiated a back-channel exercise for talks between an “unofficial” Indian envoy and Pakistan Army Chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani 10 months ago, a media report here said on Saturday.
Dr Singh had appointed an “unofficial envoy” to make contact with Gen. Kayani, who exercises de facto control over foreign policy, The Times reported.
The talks, through a back channel, have encouraged the UK and US believe that the countries’ competition for influence in Afghanistan could be better managed during efforts to start a peace process, it said.
The visit of Pakistan Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani to watch the semi-final match between India and Pakistan in the cricket World Cup last month has sparked hopes of a diplomatic thaw between the two neighbouring countries. —PTI