LAHORE, July 15: The Indian High Commissioner-designate to Pakistan, Mr Shiv Krishan Menon, arrived here on Tuesday via Wagah to take up his new assignment, hoping for lasting peace and friendly relations between the two nations.

“I’m looking forward to my new assignment. My task will be to try and help build constructive and friendly relationship (with Pakistan),” he told reporters on his arrival at Wagah.

He was accompanied by India’s deputy high commissioner in Islamabad, Mr T.C.A. Raghavan, and another Indian official when his car drove into Pakistan. Both the Indian diplomats had crossed over to India earlier in the day to accompany Mr Menon to Pakistan.

An official of the Pakistan foreign office received the Indian envoy on his arrival here. The envoy then left for Islamabad by road. He is expected to present his diplomatic credentials to the president on the latter’s return from his foreign trip.

“India has extended its hand of friendship to Pakistan and several positive developments, like the exchange of high commissioners and important visits, have taken place since. More positive steps will follow these developments,” Mr Menon added in a statement before taking questions from reporters.

Mr Menon, a career diplomat, left his ambassadorial assignment in Beijing only last week to take up his new job in Islamabad. He is credited for the recent warmth in Sino-India relations.

He also served India in Sri Lanka and Israel before his posting to Beijing.

In reply to a question about Kashmir, Mr Menon avoided a direct answer and said: “You are asking me huge questions when I’m only two steps inside Pakistan.”

Asked if peace was possible between Pakistan and India, he replied: “Yes, certainly.” When asked what steps need to be taken by the two countries to achieve this objective, he responded: “If we knew the answers, we wouldn’t be here today.”

Responding to another question, the Indian envoy said a relaxation in visa restrictions and resumption of air and rail links were on the agenda. But, he added, he could not say anything on the “specifics” right away.

“Let me go to Islamabad, then we’ll talk about it. But reduction in visa curbs is certainly one of the things we would be looking at,” he said.

AFP adds from New Delhi: Menon said before leaving New Delhi that the neighbouring South Asian powers still had much work to do to resolve their bitter row over disputed Kashmir.

He said Vajpayee had also stressed that an end to Pakistan’s alleged support for cross-border militancy in Kashmir was a crucial pre-condition to peace talks with Islamabad.

“Terrorism is an issue. Everybody knows our views,” he said.

“The prime minister has said this is an issue that needs to be addressed effectively. Because if we want the dialogue process to continue, we also need to make the effort to build a proper atmosphere,” Menon said.

Asked when rail links might be restored, Menon said: “First of all we have to watch how Pakistan responds to the good quality steps taken by India.”