Indian envoy arrives in Pakistan

The border opened last week with the resumption of the India-Pakistan bus service

India's new ambassador to Islamabad has arrived in Pakistan, as the two countries move to resume full diplomatic status after an 18-month standoff.

Shivshankar Menon crossed at Wagah, the only official border post open between the two countries, and said peace was possible after an easing of tension between the two nuclear neighbours.

His Pakistani counterpart, Aziz Ahmed Khan, took up his post in Delhi at the end of last month and the two countries restored a bus service a few days ago.

Mr Menon's arrival in Pakistan comes as a parliamentary delegation from the hard-line Jamiat-e-Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) began a rare visit to India.

The four-member team is lead by JUI chief, Fazlur Rahman, who said he hoped the visit would result in better understanding between the two countries.

Mr Rahman described the visit as "unofficial" but said it could be helpful in creating an environment for bilateral talks between India and Pakistan.

It has been organised by the Jamiat-e-Ulama-e-Hind, an organisation of Muslim religious scholars, which also played a role in the struggle for independence in pre-partition India.

'Peaceful environment'

In December 2001, diplomatic and transport links between India and Pakistan were broken after militants attacked the Indian parliament.

Fazlur Rahman (right) is leading the JUI delegation to India

The two countries agreed to restore full diplomatic ties after Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee said in April he would make a final bid for peace in his lifetime.

Mr Menon, 53, was received by Pakistan's Foreign Ministry and other government officials at the border crossing on Tuesday morning. He was expected in the capital Islamabad later in the evening.

The envoy is considered to be one of India's top diplomats. He has served as India's ambassador to Israel, Sri Lanka and most recently China.

"My task is to create an environment for peaceful and friendly relations with Pakistan," he told reporters, as he crossed the border.

"Since diplomats have been appointed on both sides, further negotiations will take place," he said.

Mr Menon was pressed on whether it was possible to resolve the dispute over Kashmir, that brought India and Pakistan to the brink of a fourth war last year.

He replied: "I am two steps in Pakistan, wish me luck, let me go to my office, then I will reply to such huge questions."