Delhi, Dec 07: The process of normalisation of ties between India and Pakistan "must include" abandonment of terrorism and it needs a political decision on Islamabad's part to stop it, says former foreign secretary Kanwal Sibal. He also hopes that Pakistan's positive response to India's peace initiatives is an "integral part" of a change in mindset which will lead to credible action against cross-border terrorism and pave the way for resumption of dialogue.

Just a week after retiring from the foreign service in which he had put in 37 years, Sibal spoke candidly in an interview to news agencies on a wide range of issues confronting the foreign policy establishment and suggestions on how to fine tune them.

Sibal, known for his bluntness in speaking out, said mere form like handshakes during a summit is not enough for a thaw in Indo-Pak ties but what mattered was substance.

"Why go after the shadow and not the substance? if warm handshakes are a reflection of a warm heart and warm intentions, then it is fine.

"But, if it is simply a gesture, then it won't be enough," he said when asked about the possibility of a bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and President Pervez Musharraf or Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali on the sidelines of the Saarc Summit in Islamabad in January.

Bureau Report