PMO denies media report that PM contacted Kayani

New Delhi, Apr 24 (PTI) The Indian Prime Minister's
Office on Sunday termed as 'false' a media report that
Manmohan Singh had contacted Pakistan Army chief Gen Ashfaq
Parvez Kayani before the Mohali meeting between Prime
Ministers of the two countries.
"We have seen media reports quoting a British
newspaper saying that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh contacted
Pakistan Army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani before the Mohali
meeting between the two Prime Ministers. The report is false,"
PM's Media Adviser Harish Khare said in a statement.
London-based 'The Times' had on Saturday reported that
Singh had appointed an "unofficial envoy" to make contact with
Kayani, who exercises de facto control over Pakistan's foreign
policy.
The talks, through a back channel, have encouraged the
UK and US believe that the countries' competition for
influence in Afghanistan could be better managed during
efforts to start a peace process, the media report had said.
The visit of Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza
Gilani to watch the semi-final match between India and
Pakistan in the cricket World Cup last month has sparked hopes
of a diplomatic thaw between the two neighbouring countries.