New Delhi: A "good beginning" could be made to improve Indo-Pak ties from next month's SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) Summit in Islamabad if Pakistan is ready to give up its "attitude of enmity" towards India, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee has said.

"Pakistan's conduct in the SAARC Summit starting in Islamabad early next month (Jan 2004) will only show whether it wants to improve its relations with India," Vajpayee said in an interview to 'Dainik Jagran' Hindi daily published today (Dec 25, 2003).

Vajpayee, who would be attending the four-day Summit of the seven-member grouping from January 4, said good talks have been held earlier also "but the basic question is whether Pakistan is prepared to give up its attitude of enmity towards India. If yes, a good beginning can be made to improve the ties from the SAARC Summit."

Asked whether Pakistan's intention to improve ties was clear, Vajpayee said, "We will only know in Islamabad whether there is any basic change in Pakistan's attitude."

He, however, wanted to know why Pakistan has not granted the Most Favoured Nation status to India whereas New Delhi has already taken such a step.

"If the trade between the two countries grows, the flow of people begins and becomes easier and Pakistan sheds its anti-India attitude in national and international fora, then a change in the present situation can be possible," he said.