Indian Minister for External Affairs Salman Khurshid with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi shake hands while posing to photographers during a meeting in New Delhi on November 10, 2013.
India is prepared to give historic rival Pakistan "the benefit of the doubt" as the two countries strive for peace, Foreign Minister Salman Khurshid has said in an interview to an Australian newspaper.
In recent months, tension has simmered along the Line of Control - the de facto border in Kashmir - with India accusing Pakistan's army of providing covering fire for militants. Shootings at the border are among the heaviest since a ceasefire agreement in 2003.
"We talk to Pakistan periodically and in terms of personal gestures we receive great warmth," Mr Khurshid said to The Australian newspaper. "But the on-the-ground reality and the results of our meetings are very disappointing."
However, with Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif last month vowing to go the "extra mile" to make peace with India, Mr Khurshid said Delhi would take him at his word.
"Pakistan has a lot of very, very difficult issues to deal with at home," he was quoted as saying.
"Our view is that we should give them time, not at our cost, of course, but that we should give them the benefit of the doubt.
"When Mr Nawaz Sharif says he wants peace and good relations with India, we take him at his word."
Mr Khurshid pointed out that Pakistan has not yet followed through on its promise of top-level military meetings to sort out better arrangements in Kashmir.