For once they spoke the same language and came close to shedding their party colours. ``There is that thing in the air where there is a desire to do something,'' said Arif Muhammad Khan. Mani Shankar Aiyer, going as a resource person, compared the whole initiative to the legendary visit of Prince of Wales to France resulting in a historic treaty which thawed relations between the two countries.

Invited by Jung, one of the largest selling dailies in Pakistan, even hardliners like the BJP's K.R. Malkani spoke of brotherhood and goodwill between the two countries. ``I was born in Pakistan. Parties like Jamat-e-Islami does not matter. How many votes does it get?,'' he said.

The others specifying their purpose of visit said that they wanted to see that the ``Pakistanis walked on two legs and spoke the same language,''. On board also are 12 journalists. Would they give credit to the BJP government for taking this crucial step? Though there was a slight pause most Congress leaders were gracious about it. ``Well, if they have done it then it is good that they have done it,'' said Balram Jhakar.

The others were a little hesitant in giving in. ``There is a time and place for everything. Maybe, this is the time and BJP happens to be in power,'' said another. Whatever the outcome, the initiative seemed like a giant stride diplomacy.

It was made clear that certain uncomfortable issues like Kashmir or the Babri Masjid would be avoided. ``We are not going there to solve issues. A beginning has to be made with smaller issues,'' said Kapil Sibal. Free trade, cross-fertilisation of culture, movement of people across borders were some which were listed as probable agenda.

According to them, the rest were best left to a government delegation. They were a delegation with a difference. ``We are people-to-people,'' they parrotted each other.``We are not going there with a fixed agenda but with an open mind,'' said Sushma Swaraj.

Any uncomfortable question was brushed aside saying it was time to be optimistic and upbeat about Indo-Pak relations. Kamal Choudhury, MP from Madhya Pradesh, said that this positive step had happened after the nuclear blasts. ``Kabhi burai sde achhai nikalti hai (sometimes there is good from evil),'' he said.

Aiyer thought it was the sporting crowd in Chennai which set the ground for a step like this. ``That was according to me the single largest step,'' he said.

It was time for them to be in a relaxed mood, indulging in light banter. ``See the shortest MP standing next to the tallest,'' said Sushma excitedly as she posed next to Jhakar. They even came out of the VIP lounge willingly to pose for a group photograph. Aiyer added a philosophic dimension to the entire initiative: ``This is neither the beginning nor the end, it is going to be a process''.