Yekaterinburg, Russia: There is a possibility of a Russian thaw in Indo-Pak relations. For the first time after 26/11, there will be a one-on-one meeting between the heads of the two countries.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari will meet on Tuesday on the sidelines of a BRIC summit.
There are two views on whether they should meet at all. Some say that Pakistan has just released Jamat-ud-Dawa chief Hafiz Saeed and they are not serious about tackling any terrorism that targets India. A second view believes that what the terrorists want is a cold war between India and Pakistan, and a warmer peaceful relationship would defeat that.
So all eyes are on the crucial meeting to be held in Yekaterinburg in Russia.
However, the question is that is the Indian government softening its stand, and will some sort of a comprehensive dialogue restart.
The meeting between Manmohan Singh and Zardari in New York in September 2008 was seen as a step forward in the on-off bilateral relations between India and Pakistan.
Then happened the 26/11, following which, India's diplomatic offensive forced Pakistan to admit the involvement of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Toiba's in the attack.
But LeT founder Hafeez Saeed's token detention and his subsequent release by the Lahore High Court only added to the tension. India said no talks until Pakistan cracks down on terror.
But the Indian government has hinted at a softening of its stand, and a possible thaw with Islamabad - something even the Prime Minister confirmed.
"During my visit, I look forward to meeting and exchanging views with the other world leaders who will be present in Yekaterinburg," said Manmohan before leaving for Russia.
Singh and Zardari will have a bilateral meeting, but sources say the comprehensive dialogue process may not restart, yet, the dialogue even if it resumes, could be in a different form.