However, New Delhi is clear that this assessment will not come in the way of applying pressure on Zardari in order to test the resolve of the new Pakistan Government to cooperate on terror. For all the apparent differences, the Government is of the view that Zardari and Army chief General Ashfaq Kayani do need each other and, therefore, have a relationship which can be exploited.

On a broader plane, top sources said, the various power centres in Pakistan are acting at cross-purposes with a complete lack of central control and that, in turn, has created a huge policy dilemma in India. With this in mind, New Delhi thinks that it needs to be prepared for surprises and look to manage the relationship through engagement at various levels.

In this context, India will seek to insulate the peace process while continuing to press for action on the terror front. Aware that meeting Singh on the margins of the UN General Assembly will only increase Zardari’s international legitimacy, India has already conveyed that it expects action on terrorism and ceasefire violations to give a positive start to this fresh engagement.

When asked about whether the issue of terrorism will come up at the meeting with Zardari, Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon sought to be calibrated in his response. “I think we will discuss the entire gamut of bilateral issues. These sorts of issues are also an important part of the relationship. But there is more to the relationship than just that. We will cover all our issues and concerns when we meet.”