Outlining a complex diplomatic strategy for India after the Mumbai massacre, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today left the door ajar for conditional engagement with Pakistan while trying to mobilise international pressure on Islamabad to stop cross-border terrorism.

Addressing reporters on his way to the G-8 summit in St Petersburg, Singh spelt out two important conditions that could help arrest a breakdown of the Indo-Pak peace process.

He reminded Pakistan of its “solemn obligation” to “honour the commitment made in January 2004 that Pakistan’s territory will not be utilised for promoting, aiding, abetting and encouraging terrorist acts directed at our country”. He also added that this commitment must “backed by action on the ground”.

Senior aides to the Prime Minister explained that a credible crackdown on the Lashkar-e-Toiba, which operates without hindrance in Pakistan and is the prime suspect of the recent terror attacks on India, could go some distance in addressing New Delhi’s concerns.

While he had not spoken to Musharraf directly, Singh said “contacts have been established with the Government of Pakistan at all levels”.

While India waits for Pakistan to reaffirm its commitment to the January 2004 statement and restrain Lashkar and other jihadi outfits, the first order of business for Singh in St Petersburg is to take full advantage of the presence of many world leaders here to ratchet up the international pressure on Musharraf.

In his meetings with President George W Bush, Vladimir Putin and other world leaders tomorrow, Singh hopes to “impress upon them that they must stand united with India in this war against terrorism”.

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