NEW DELHI, May 29: Indian politician Sonia Gandhi may visit Pakistan, accepting an invitation by President Pervez Musharraf, Indian Foreign Minister Natwar Singh said on Saturday.

"Soniaji has been invited to Pakistan and I hope a programme would be chalked out for her visit," Mr Singh was quoted by Press Trust of India as saying in Jaipur.

"I believe that Soniaji would go to Pakistan where she would certainly receive a big welcome from its people," Mr Singh said. Ms Gandhi is the chairperson of the United Progressive Alliance.

He said her children Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi had visited Pakistan when Indian cricket team was playing there and both had received a warm welcome there. Pakistani officials say they were accorded the hospitality reserved for heads of state.

"You can imagine how big reception Soniaji would get in Pakistan when she goes there," Mr Singh said.

He also said that the new United Progressive Alliance government wanted to have close ties with all its neighbours.

"India will pursue talks with Pakistan on the basis of Simla agreement. We want better relations with our western neighbour," Mr Singh said.

He accused former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee of changing his stand towards Pakistan five times during his tenure sometimes making complete u-turn.