Srinagar: Asserting that terrorism in all forms should come to an end, Canada on June 24 said the latest peace initiative between India and Pakistan was a positive step towards improved relations between the two South Asian neighbours.

"It was statesman-like initiative by Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and there was a positive response from Pakistan. Little by little with more confidence building measures, it will lead to a dialogue, Canadian High Commissioner to India Peter Sutherland told reporters after donating books about his country to Kashmir University in Srinagar.

Asked if New Delhi and Islamabad were just talking about talking, he said, "you cannot have a dialogue without first talking about it ... It is positive beginning."

On New Delhi's stand that cross border-infiltration must stop before the dialogue process, the Canadian High Commissioner said, "We believe that terrorism in all forms must stop without justifying them by their ends."

"Obviously, the elimination of cross-border terrorism is going to create more conducive atmosphere for the kind of dialogue needed to resolve the outstanding issues between India and Pakistan, he added.

Sutherland said it was encouraging that Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf was taking steps to rein in the militants and hardliners who were supporting militancy in Jammu and Kashmir.

"We are glad that he (Musharraf) is making those efforts an we encourage further efforts in this direction," Sutherland said.

PTI