New Delhi: Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today (Nov 1) sought to give a new direction to his peace initiative, saying the effort was aimed at "encouraging" those elements in Pakistan "who recognise the folly of permanent hostility towards India".

Addressing the combined armed forces commanders' conference in New Delhi, Vajpayee said India would enter into a meaningful dialogue with Pakistan only after it saw sincerity in Islamabad's efforts to stop cross-border terrorism and to dismantle infrastructure of terrorism.

"We will continue to deal firmly with cross-border terrorism and a meaningful dialogue with Pakistan is only possible when we see sincerity in their efforts to stop cross-border infiltration and to dismantle the infrastructure of terrorism," he said.

Refering to recent measures announced to promote greater people-to-people interaction, cultural exchanges and economic cooperation with Pakistan, Vajpayee said it was India's effort to encourage those elements in Pakistan, who recognise the folly of permanent hostility towards India.

Calling on the armed forces to evolve a comprehensive counter terrorism doctrine by developing suitable capabilities of manpower and high technology equipment, the Prime Minister said the Russian retreat from Afghanistan had released thousands of armed Mujahideens and jihadis whom Pakistan had redirected into Jammu and Kashmir.

PTI