NEW DELHI, Feb 14: On the eve of a much-awaited visit to Pakistan by Foreign Minister Natwar Singh, India on Monday said it had "great expectations" from the tour.

"We are working very hard on the bilateral visit of the minister," foreign secretary Shyam Saran said.

"We have a great deal of expectation and (we) want a close relationship with Pakistan." Mr Singh leaves on Tuesday for the first bilateral visit by an Indian foreign minister to Pakistan in 15 years. His first stop, however, will be Afghanistan from where he will leave later on Tuesday for Islamabad.

A thorough review of the peace process which began last January is expected during Mr Singh's meetings with Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and in formal talks with his counterpart Khurshid Kasuri. -Reuters