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Manali (HP): Asserting that cross-border terrorism must end to create an "appropriate atmosphere" for talks, Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee on May 18 said Pakistan must take "more steps" to stop it.

Winding up his six-day summer retreat in Manali, Vajpayee told reporters, "Our position is this and we stick to it."

"There is no compulsion to talk," he said when asked why India was taking peace initiatives when cross- border terrorism continued.

"We are making efforts to see an end to cross-border terrorism so that an appropriate atmosphere is created for talks," he said and insisted there was no change in New Delhi's position on this.

When referred to recent steps taken by Pakistan, including release of 17 Indian prisoners, the Prime Minister said, "Several steps have been taken and more must be taken."

"A process has begun. Let us see how these steps are linked with ending cross-border terrorism," he said.

Asked whether he would be travelling to Pakistan for South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation (SAARC) meeting, Vajpayee said he had not received any invitation.

To a question whether he would be meeting Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf in St Petersburg during his upcoming visit to Russia, he said the Pakistani leader was not going there.

"Shall we arrange for his visit too," he quipped in a lighter vein.

PTI