New Delhi, June 19: India today said it wanted to move "beyond" the proposals made by Pakistan aimed at restoring status quo ante that prevailed before the terrorist attack on Parliament and sought evidence of "sincerity in concrete steps" by Islamabad to end cross-border terrorism. "We want to move beyond the proposals made by Pakistan," official sources said when asked about Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf's claim that Islamabad has done its bit to try to build confidence after Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee extended a 'hand of friendship'. In an interview to a news agency, Musharraf claimed that Pakistan has offered seven confidence building measures (CBMS) instead of India's two. These included moving to re-establish road and rail links and appoint a new High Commissioner to India. "We offered more far reaching than he did. We have not got a reply as yet. Therefore, the ball is entirely in their court. We said let us start talking," Musharraf said. Official sources here said "these are issues relating to specific steps taken by India after the December 13 attack on Parliament and are aimed at restoring status quo ante". India will consider these measures "as there is progress in the implementation of the proposals put forward by the Prime Minister and there is evidence of sincerity in concrete steps taken by Pakistan to end cross-border terrorism", the sources said.
Bureau Report