ISLAMABAD, April 19: While at the highest political level there has been an enthusiastic response to Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee’s peace talks offer to Pakistan, Foreign Office professionals here cautioned against over-optimism.

The overriding sentiment here on Saturday was one of guarded optimism. Most officials talked to Dawn agreed that in principle the announcement made by Mr Vajpayee was “good” and was a welcome departure from the hostile rhetoric emanating from the Indian side in recent weeks. They saw it as a “very positive development” after the string of belligerent statements by Indian Foreign Minister Yashwant Sinha who went as far as saying that Pakistan was a fit case for a pre-emptive strike by India.

Analysts in Pakistan have repeatedly said that Vajpayee is a man with whom progress towards peace is possible. “After all, he has a track record of opting for the Lahore Summit,” remarked one analyst.

“This is a very positive statement, but if you go back into history you see little hope as Mr Vajpayee’s position over the years has weakened,” said one official, noting that the Advani camp of hardliners dominated the ruling BJP. The July 2001 Agra summit was cited as one example where an agreed upon declaration could not come through. “Clearly, at Agra one saw Mr Vajpayee as not being in charge,” he added.

Attention was also drawn to the “sensitive constituency” that Mr Vajpayee was addressing when he made the talks offer was also pointed out. “Mr Vajpayee was in Srinagar and was conscious of the pro-Pakistan and pro-independence sentiment in that constituency,” remarked one official.