August 7, 2003	Thursday	Jumadi-us-Sani 8, 1424

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NEW DELHI, Aug 6: Diplomatic ties between India and Pakistan on Wednesday again appeared to be strained as sources here accused Islamabad of delaying the processing of the credentials of New Delhi’s high commissioner-designate Mr Shiv Shankar Menon, who had arrived there on July 15.

Pakistani officials attributed the delay to President Pervez Musharraf’s busy schedule, indicating that the formal presentation of credentials could take place in the current week.

But there were indications that all was not right with the bilateral equation after some Pakistani diplomats privately sought to deny an Indian news report that had quoted Pakistan’s High Commissioner Mr Aziz Ahmed Khan as saying that he expected the train and air services to resume this month.

While the media has been full of stories of goodwill visits between the two countries, most notably the touching images of the two-year-old Noor, Pakistani diplomats say this was how normal relations had been before they were disrupted by the prolonged military standoff that ended late last year.

The re-appointment of high commissioners is being celebrated as a great victory for peace, remarked one Pakistani diplomat.

“We have to break out of this mindset that interprets a mere move for status quo ante in diplomatic ties as a major step for peace.”

Indian sources said once Mr Menon, was formally received by President Musharraf, the seasoned diplomat would be all set to revive the slackening pace of normalization of bilateral ties.

If what Pakistani officials said was true, Mr Menon could be receiving a host of Indian legislators and journalists next week as an officially-accredited envoy. His next effort would be to seek to restore the staff strength of the high commission to its normal levels to cope with growing demands of visa seekers. This applies in equal measure to the Pakistani side, sources said.

“All this is very well,” said a Pakistani diplomat.