The spokesman of the German embassy here, Carsten Hoelscher, told The Indian Express that ``since no one in the Indian Government has so far officially told us that the Prime Minister is cancelling his visit to Germany, preparations for his visit are still on in Bonn.''

Meanwhile, the hunt has started for an alternative stopover in Europe, and two capitals on the cards are Madrid, Spain and Lisbon, Portugal. The PM has already been to Paris, when he returned from New York in September and Britain's criticism of India's nuclear tests has ensured that London will remain off Vajpayee's travel plans for a long time.

A Europe stopover is essential for the PM's planes to refuel and two cities, not capitals, where this is possible are Geneva and Amsterdam. NewDelhi, however, would prefer to use time in the Continent to do a diplomatic visit rather than just break journey somewhere.

Hoelscher said diplomats in the embassy here ``were suprised'' on reading about the cancellation of the Vajpayee's trip to Germany in The Indian Express this morning. When they checked with Bonn, they were told that no official communication had been received so far.

Evidently the German news agency DPA has reported, quoting foreign office sources here, confirming that the German leg of the PM's tour is off, but reiterating that the cancellation was because both sides could not match dates.