Delay in formation of the Congress-led government and allocation of portfolios has led to a ‘‘brief postponement’’ of Indo-Pak talks on nuclear confidence building measures.Slated to start Tuesday, these talks would have been the first on the issue since the two countries went nuclear in 1998.Although the NDA government had given the go-ahead, the postponement took place because the talks will require a ‘‘political mandate.’’ In short, the new government needs to be in place first and only then can the talks get underway. The decision to defer the talks, taken on Saturday evening when Foreign Secretary Shashank met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, was communicated to Islamabad today.The new government still has to take charge of the nuclear command and control structure. With a new External Affairs Minister not yet in, South Block had no choice except request that the talks be postponed.South Block officials said India had asked for a ‘‘brief postponement’’ and was committed to hold the talks before the next meeting between the two foreign secretaries in June. Fresh dates, likely before June 10, will be worked out separately through diplomatic channels.Natwar Singh, who has been sworn-in as Cabinet Minister and is tipped to be the next External Affairs Minister, said the new government was committed to improving relations with Pakistan. ‘‘But I can only comment on specific issues after I have seen the progress made in the recent past.’’Singh today told The Indian Express that he was aware of the overarching role played by the Prime Minister’s Office in the conduct of foreign policy by the previous government. ‘‘We are aware of this and we will see what can be done.’’He was, however, confident that the new Prime Minister would not function in the same fashion. ‘‘I don’t see Manmohan Singh working the same way. He will see to it that work is carried out according to the proper system.’’But the likelihood of South Block alone handling foreign policy appears remote given the fact that former foreign secretary J N Dixit is tipped to be the new National Security Advisor.Natwar Singh, a former High Commissioner to Pakistan, said he attached considerable importance to relations with neighbours but refused to go into detail. ‘‘In any case, we have a Cabinet meeting today. We will take matters further only after the meeting.’’In its response to the Indian request, Islamabad underlined the importance of the composite dialogue process and hoped that the broad timeframe and schedule agreed upon by the two foreign secretaries earlier doesn’t get disturbed.‘‘Pakistan attaches importance to the continuation of the composite dialogue process and looks forward to an early scheduling of the foreign secretary-level talks as well as talks on nuclear CBMs,’’ Pakistan’s foreign office said in a statement.The announcement came a day before the Pakistani delegation was to leave for New Delhi. The team was to be headed by Tariq Usman Haider, an Additional Secretary in the Pakistan foreign office, and Jalil Abbas Jilani, Director General (South Asia).
