New Delhi, Nov 27: Hoping that the current ceasefire along Indo-Pak frontiers "may be lasting", External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha today said if the recent "transformation" in the thinking of Pakistani leadership moves in the right direction, it may help create an atmosphere for talks. But he made it clear that talks at summit level could be held only in the final stages and not at the beginning.
"This question has been asked repeatedly. We have responded by saying that summit level talks between India and Pakistan can take place only when parleys at the lower level are held and there is a meeting of minds and possibility of agreement," he told a news channel when asked about such a possibility on the sidelines of the Saarc summit in Islamabad.
"If some issues remain unresolved, these could be decided at the summit level talks. In such a scenario, there is an opportunity for summit level talks. But we do not want that the talks should begin at the summit level," he said.
Sinha said, "so when there is reference to summit level talks, it is necessary to keep in mind that summit talks are held at the final stage and not at the beginning'.
"I believe that this time it (ceasefire) may be lasting," he said adding "if the trend of present developments continues and if the transformation in their (pakistan's) thinking moves in the right direction, then an atmosphere for talks can be created".
Bureau Report