NEW DELHI, Jan 8: Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh seems to have declined President Gen Pervez Musharraf’s invitation he made in a TV interview to watch a cricket match between their sides in Pakistan, but official statements on Sunday did not rule out a quick visit across the border nevertheless.

“Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has no plans to visit Pakistan to watch any of the cricket matches,” said Indian foreign ministry’s spokesman Navtej Sarna.

The prime minister’s spokesman, Dr Sanajaya Baru, also used the same words to rule out a cricket-related visit thus distancing himself from reports in Pakistan that Dr Singh could be watching a fixture in Rawalpindi next month.

In an interview with the newly-launched CNN-IBN channel, Gen Musharraf, asked if Dr Singh would visit Pakistan to watch a cricket match, had said: “I invite him right here and let me say that I invite him to watch any part of the series.”

However, cricket would not be the only thing on Gen Musharraf’s mind: “Now, if he comes here and we do nothing about the peace process, I am afraid we are just wasting our time.”

The Indian prime minister in any case has a standing invitation from Gen Musharraf to pay a bilateral official visit to Pakistan. Official sources say this could happen any time before US President George W. Bush arrives in New Delhi at the end of February or early March.

The earlier Indian reaction to Gen Musharraf’s interview being telecast from Sunday night was based on excerpts released until then.

“That is the whole point. We have not yet seen the entire interview and I think a full assessment and a full reaction can only come after we have seen the entire interview,” Mr Sarna said late on Saturday night.

“Nevertheless, there have been some agency reports as well as excerpts which we have seen on the TV channels and on the basis of what one has seen so far I think it is possible to give some initial reaction on some of the elements which seem to be contained in the interview. But I must say that a full assessment can only be done once the full interview has been played.

“On the basis of what one has seen so far I think I am in a position to make some comments....

“The Pakistan President has repeatedly given solemn assurances that no part of the territory under Pakistan’s control would be used for any cross-border terrorism against India. The implementation of this commitment is unconditional. Pakistan should implement forthwith its solemn commitments in this regard so that the peace process between the two countries can make progress and the two countries can live in peace and friendship as good neighbours.