New Delhi: India on April 21 said it was up to Pakistan now to respond to Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee's fresh friendship offer by giving "atleast a guarantee" that it would not support cross-border terrorism.

"It is for Pakistan now to act and at least give a guarantee that it will not support cross-border terrorism at all," Minister of State for External Affairs Digvijay Singh said.

"When we are talking of friendship, it is important that there is a complete halt to the gun culture," the minister said in a British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) programme.

"Our Prime Minister has already made it clear that if Pakistan responds favourably and stops cross-border terrorism, we are willing to send a Foreign Ministry official to Islamabad to discuss about the agenda for talks," he said.

He said the Pakistan Prime Minister welcoming the Indian offer "gives hope that an atmosphere conducive for talks can be created".

He added that India always wanted friendly relations with Pakistan and cited two instances in the past were friendly relations with Pakistan has been initiated by India while referring to Vajpayee's trip to Lahore and inviting Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf for talks at Agra but the outcome were Kargil and the attack on Parliament.

"Still, we have taken the initiative for the third time. This shows our seriousness," he said.

PTI