New Delhi, June 19 :     As the world?s richest nations search for a solution to the Kargil conflict, they might push India and Pakistan to agree to convert the Line of Control into an international boundary. On the record, India has always been against such a proposal. But the Kargil conflict and a willingness to accept the fact that the issue has been effectively internationalised have made New Delhi less averse to a debate now. It feels such an exercise, instead of the earlier eagerness to shy away from global fora, could help it make most of the new situation. The hectic lobbying with the Group of Eight to exert pressure on Pakistan to withdraw the armed intrusion is part of this policy. The Kargil conflict was discussed by G8 leaders in Cologne last night. The group is expected to ask both India and Pakistan to work for an immediate end to the conflict. But whether it will ask Pakistan to withdraw the intruders or urge the two countries to resume talks will be clear only after a formal statement tomorrow. Stepping up pressure on G8, foreign secretary K. Raghunath told diplomats it will be ?very difficult for India to show restraint?, if the group does not come out with a strong message to Islamabad. Officially, India and Pakistan stuck to their known positions. Prime Minister A. B. Vajpayee today ruled out any need for mediation, asserting the issue is bilateral, while Nawaz Sharif said he is ready for international mediation, insisting the ?situation in Kargil is linked with Kashmir?. Sharif said ?our doors are still open for talks? but kept them inaccessible by adding he has no control over the ?freedom fighters? in Kargil and that they will not ?take any order from me?. India has said there can be no talks with Pakistan unless it withdraws all intruders. Delhi is aware it will continue to be cajoled by the global community to negotiate with Pakistan for an early solution to the Kashmir issue. Experts and many world leaders believe the conversion of the LoC into an international border is the only solution. The 740-km LoC was drawn as part of the Simla Agreement in 1972. Despite skirmishes, both sides had respected the LoC till now. But the Kargil intrusion has raised questions about the LoC?s viability. However, India has made it clear it honours the sanctity of the LoC and will make no attempt to cross it. Army and foreign ministry officials went out of their way today to stress this. But any proposal to turn the LoC into a formal boundary is certain to raise a storm on both sides of the border. In India, the idea has come up from time to time but has never been pursued officially. Besides, a resolution has been passed in Parliament saying India will try to retrieve the territory held illegally by Pakistan. However, many policymakers have now started exploring the conversion option, but with extreme caution. ?Though this can be one of the solutions to resolve the Kashmir dispute, it cannot be brought about overnight,? a senior official conceded. The informal offer to convert the LoC into a boundary was first made by Indira Gandhi to Zulfikar Ali Bhutto at the Simla summit. But it did not work out then because Bhutto could not muster support in Pakistan.