ISLAMABAD, April 26: Pakistan has expressed fears that the current political crisis in India and imminent mid-term polls will delay the bilateral dialogue process by three to six months and said that the onus for this delay rests on the Indian side.Both nations after some tough-talking following their nuclear tests in May last year agreed to resume bilateral talks in October following pressure from leading powers, mainly the United States.Apart from their bilateral talks both nations are engaged in parallel talks with the US and at least eight rounds of talks have already taken place since May, mainly on the issue of signing the CTBT and other nuclear related issues.Both neighbours have indicated that they will sign the CTBT before September this year but the current political crises in India will obviously delay its signing and Pakistan may be forced to ink the treaty before that.In an apparent exercise to demonstrate its sincerity on talks with India, the Pakistani foreign office has grabbed the opportunity given by the political deadlock in New Delhi to go to the press saying that the ball is now in the Indian court and that they were awaiting a response from New Delhi.Commenting on the political deadlock in India, another official was quoted as saying, "if neither of the two major parties fail to form the the new government, snap polls will be automatic choice in India and in such an eventuality the process of Pak-India talks will be delayed for 3 to 6 months and the onus for this delay will be on the Indian side."He expressed fears that the uncertain political scene in India will not only adversely affect the bilateral peace process but also the ongoing disarmament and proliferation talks between India and the US and talks between Pakistan and the US.Reports also said despite repeated reminders, Indian officials have failed to give tentative dates for next round of talks. Top
