Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh on Friday said the controversy regarding the cricket match between India and Pakistan is only a minor hiccup.
"The caravan will move on," he told media persons at Hotel Royal Palm in Mauritius, where he is on a four-day visit.
The controversy, he admitted, had cast a shadow.
When asked about the threat to passengers of the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus, the PM said, "It is the solemn obligation of both governments (India and Pakistan) to ensure the safety of the passengers."
When asked if India planned to relax the visa regulations, like Mauritius, he said he would apply his mind to the issue on his return to New Delhi. ''People should travel there without hassles,'' he said.
He refused to be drawn into a controversy on the feeling that Mauritius had reached a stage where it no longer needed Indian help. ''A decision on what help is needed should be made by Mauritius,'' he said.
He said he did not get a chance to discuss the issue of 32 Indian prisoners in Mauritius jails. Indian High Commissioner P S Haer, who was present at the press conference, however, clarified that a draft agreement was ready for their transfer to India. Only Union Cabinet approval was required, Haer said.
Shashi Tripathi, secretary (west), Ministry of External Affairs Ministry, and Haer had stated at a press briefing on Thursday that the prisoners would complete their prison terms in India. They had stated that they were not political prisoners, but had been held on drug trafficking charges. Three of the prisoners are women.
On a lighter note, when the reporters asked if Singh went for a swim, he said he did not have the time.
Earlier, the PM said his visit to Mauritius has been a very special experience.
''I am happy that my first bilateral visit abroad since I became prime minister 10 months back has been to Mauritius,'' he said.
India's relationship with Mauritius, he said, was unique -- uniquely close, and ''I believe, mature'.'
The prime minister said his visit was not intended to interfere with domestic politics in Mauritius.
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