Next round of talks India-Pakistan likely in Islamabad

New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna yesterday hinted that the next foreign secretary-level talks between India and Pakistan will be held in Islamabad and called for a "step-by-step" engagement with the neighbouring country.

"The foreign secretary of Pakistan came here for the talks. So, perhaps it is the turn of Indian foreign secretary to go to Pakistan. So, let us move step by step," Krishna said on the sidelines of the India-Africa conclave here.

"Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has taken an initiative in good faith to hold foreign secretary-level talks with Islamabad," he told reporters when asked about the course of engagement between India and Pakistan.

Krishna's remarks came amid speculation that Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao will travel to Islamabad towards the end of this month or early next month. Rao and her Pakistani counterpart Salman Bashir held talks here on February 25.