Dates on Indo-Pak talks soon: Sinha

India will soon hold consultations with Pakistan to work out modalities for holding the composite dialogue to resolve issues between the two...

India will soon hold consultations with Pakistan to work out modalities for holding the composite dialogue to resolve issues between the two countries.

External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha today said the two countries would soon decide on the date, venue and level of dialogue.

When asked further at what level the talks would be held, Sinha said, 8216;8216;It is difficult to say at this point of time. We have not yet decided on it. This is something, which will have to be mutually decided. We will consult with Pakistan in the next few days, weeks. We will fix a date, we will fix the level and we will fix the venue for talks.8217;8217;

When asked about reports of National Security Advisor Brajesh Mishra and his Pakistani counterpart Tariq Aziz being named as special envoys to accelerate the peace-process, Sinha said, 8216;8216;I don8217;8217;t know where has this idea of special envoys come from. I am not aware of it.8217;8217;

8216;8216;The matter of India-Pakistan relations is very sensitive, I do not want to elaborate any further,8217;8217; Sinha said.

Regarding the BJP sounding a note of caution to the Government while pursuing peace-process, Sinha said, 8216;8216;It is natural. We are dealing with issues, which are almost six decades old. Naturally, we have to be cautious. Both countries realise that they are dealing with issues, which are both complex and difficult. We have to deal with them slowly and carefully and resolve them.8217;8217;

On being asked if the Atal Behari Vajpayee government, being a caretaker regime later, would be able to implement the decisions taken during the course of the composite dialogue, Sinha said, 8216;8216;We hope, we will return to power as and when elections are held. In any case, we would be talking from the viewpoint of national interest.

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8220;The issues between India and Pakistan are not partisan. They are national issues and any government in office will negotiate with Pakistan, will talk to Pakistan from the point of view of national interest.

8216;8216;Therefore, that is not really worrying. Because, we will initiate the talks in this tenure in office and then we will see how it moves on in future,8217;8217; Sinha said.

On whether some in the BJP were concerned that India should not be seen as giving any concessions, Sinha said 8216;8216;I don8217;t think it was evident at all yesterday at the BJP meet. Ever since I have returned from Islamabad, the tone everywhere has been congratulatory, not only within the BJP but also in the Opposition and among the people at large.

8216;8216;That will show that the people in India as well as the people in Pakistan want peace and friendship between the two countries,8217;8217; he said.