ISLAMABAD: Indian External Affairs Minister S. M. Krishna renewed invitation to Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Tuesday to visit Delhi to carry forward the dialogue process that had been bogged down because of differences over how to deal with gaping bilateral mistrust.

Mr Qureshi rang up his Indian counterpart to felicitate him on the occasion of India’s Republic Day (Jan 26). During the brief conversation,  the two ministers exchanged views on bilateral relations.

“EAM (external affairs minister) reiterated his invitation to FM Qureshi to visit India at a mutually convenient date, to carry forward the dialogue process,” the Indian High Commission said in a statement.

Mr Qureshi responded positively by saying he looked forward to visiting Delhi. The dates will be decided through diplomatic channels, but it all depends on the upcoming Pak-India foreign secretaries’ talks in Thimpu (Bhutan) on Feb 6-7 on the sidelines of Saarc standing committee meeting.

The conversation, nevertheless, brightened the chances of a thaw in bilateral ties.

The HC’s statement said both ministers were optimistic about the outcome of the secretaries’ dialogue, which could pave the way for resumption of the dialogue aimed at bridging mistrust.

Both sides have been regularly exchanging proposals for the revival of talks over the past few weeks.

The relationship has been strained because of Indian concerns about terrorism. India had suspended talks after the 2008 Mumbai attacks.

Pakistan, meanwhile, accuses India of being reluctant to discuss issues of concern to it – the Kashmir dispute and human rights situation in the occupied Valley; Siachen and issues pertaining to peace and security, particularly the strategic restraint regime.

Several unsuccessful efforts have since then been made to get both sides return to dialogue.

The closest the two sides came to resumption of talks was last year when Mr Krishna visited Islamabad and again when both foreign ministers were expected to announce a breakthrough in ties during their meeting on the sidelines of UN General Assembly session in New York.

But, on each of the occasions a last-minute hitch prevented the forward movement.