New Delhi: Opposition in the Rajya Sabha on April 24 demanded that government should take it into confidence on any negotiations with Pakistan in the face of Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee extending a "hand of friendship" to Islamabad.

"The Prime Minister should consult the Opposition" when negotiations with Pakistan will be formulated, senior Congress member Natwar Singh said after Vajpayee made a statement on his recent visit to Jammu and Kashmir.

"I hope he (Prime Minister) will consult the leader of Opposition (Sonia Gandhi)," Singh said.

Vajpayee had made an identical statement in the Lok Sabha on April 23.

Supporting Singh, his party colleague Suresh Pachouri and Communist Party of India – Marxist (CPM) leader Nilotpal Basu said Opposition parties had never opposed government on the Kashmir issue and it was only befitting that it took Opposition into confidence so that political parties could make their contribution as well.

Deviating from the convention of the House, it was agreed by members that they would not seek any clarifications on Prime Minister's statement but Singh and Pachouri wanted Chairman Bhairon Singh Shekhawat to ensure that this was not made a precedent.

In his statement, Vajpayee said "let us see how Pakistan responds" to the hand of friendship extended by him. "Stopping cross border infiltration and destruction of terrorist infrastructure can open the doors for talks."

Asserting that talks could be held on all issues including J and K, the Prime Minister expressed the hope that a new beginning could take place between the two countries.

PTI