Beijing, July 07: India's new high commissioner designate to Pakistan, Shivshankar Menon today said he looked forward to his new assignment and stressed that New Delhi would do its best to bring its relations with Islamabad back on track. "As our Prime Minister (Atal Bihari Vajpayee) said we will make the effort to improve our relationship with Pakistan and bring it back on track," Menon told a news agency here at the Beijing International Airport before leaving for New Delhi en route to his new assignment in Pakistan.

Asked about his new assignment in Pakistan, Menon, a seasoned career diplomat said: "it is too early to say. I would like to go there before I say anything about our relationship. Certainly, I look forward to it." Menon, 54, is expected to have more meetings in Delhi before he reaches Islamabad by mid-July. His Pakistani counterpart, Aziz Ahmed Khan has already reached New Delhi last week.

Menon would succeed Vijay K Nambiar, who was recalled by India after the terrorist attack on Parliament on December 13, 2001. Nambiar later took over as India's permanent representative to the United Nations. Bureau Report