New Delhi: Government on May 6 said holding of a festival of India in Pakistan was possible only after the relations between the two countries were normalised.

"Normal relation between India and Pakistan have to be established first. Our Prime Minister (Atal Behari Vajpayee) has taken the initiative. If relation becomes normal, cultural exchanges will follow," Union Cultural and Tourism Minister Jagmohan said.

"Holding of a festival outside India depends on the logistic support and reciprocal gesture of the host country," he said at a function where a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between India and Bhutan to hold a festival of India in Bhutan between June and November this year.

The Minister also denied that government choose a country for holding such festival considering its strategic importance saying, "It depends on mutual understanding. We are now emphasising to hold regular festival in other countries."

Jagmohan hoped that the festival of India in Bhutan would help in strengthening cultural and historical relations between the two neighbours.

Dhandendra Kumar, secretary culture and his Bhutanese counterpart Dasho Sangay Wangchug signed the MoU. The Bhutanese secretary said that purpose for the festival was to highlight the shared cultural heritage and geographical proximity as well as strengthening the ties between the two countries.

PTI