New Delhi: The meeting between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari in New York last September was seen as a step forward in the on-off bilateral relations between India and Pakistan.
Then 26/11 happened, and post-Mumbai India's diplomatic offensive forced Pakistan to admit the involvement of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Toiba's in the attack.
But LeT founder Hafeez Saeed's token detention and his subsequent release by the Lahore High Court only added to the tension. India said there is no question of talks until Pakistan cracks down on terror.
But the Indian government has hinted at a softening of its stand and a possible thaw with Islamabad -- something Manmohan Singh confirmed on Monday before leaving for Russia for the Brazil-Russia-India-China (BRIC) and Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summits.
"During my visit, I look forward to meeting and exchanging views with the other world leaders who will be present in Yekaterinburg," Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said.
Dr Singh and Asif Zaradari will have a bilateral meeting, but sources say the comprehensive dialogue process may not restart yet. The dialogue, even if it resumes, could be in a different form.