19 February 2004	Thursday	27 Zilhaj 1424

NEW DELHI, Feb 18: India on Wednesday said it was determined to sustain peace efforts with Pakistan, resolve all outstanding issues and normalize bilateral relations.

The foreign secretary-level talks in Islamabad on Wednesday were 'fruitful' and held in a cordial atmosphere, External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha said while delivering a lecture on 'India's Middle East policy and relations with neighbouring countries' in Hyderabad.

"We have been going forward step by step ever since the prime minister unveiled a peace initiative in April last year. "There is no going back on our efforts aimed at resolving bilateral issues through negotiations," the minister said.

India was committed to normalizing relations with Islamabad through sustained dialogue and peace initiatives, he added. About reports regarding the United States' mediation in the improvement of India-Pakistan relations, Mr Sinha said India was not under anybody's pressure and was following an independent foreign policy.

"America is our friend. The exchange of information between two friends cannot be construed as external pressure," he explained, adding there was no need for a third party mediation. -APP