India, Pakistan Reschedule Peace Talks

NEW DELHI (AP) -- India has rescheduled high-level peace talks with Pakistan while it evaluates action taken by Islamabad against Pakistan-based insurgents it blames for an attack on an Indian air force base.

Top diplomats were scheduled to meet in the Pakistani capital on Friday to set out a roadmap for dialogue on settling the Kashmir dispute and other irritants in their ties.

Vikas Swarup, India's External Affairs Ministry spokesman, told reporters on Thursday that the meeting will now be held in "the very near future."

He denied speculation that the talks were destined to collapse because of the attack earlier this month.

Swarup welcomed Pakistan's announcement of the arrest of several people from an outlawed Islamic militant group believed to be linked to the assault. Seven Indian soldiers and six attackers died.

(KA)