Islamabad: Cautioning about the presence of "hawks" on both sides of the border, Pakistan Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali has said India and Pakistan need to follow a step-by-step approach to begin talks at the "best" possible time.

Still sounding buoyant about his April 28 telephonic conversation with Vajpayee, which formally broke the ice between the two countries, Jamali said India and Pakistan needed to take measured steps leading to talks.

"You cannot jump up and start talks at once. There needs to be step-by-step measures, which have to be taken. They said a few things. We have said a few things and the talks could start at 'best' time possible," he said.

He said Pakistan for its part has already said talks could start at any level. "If Indians feel talks (should be held) at summit level, I don't mind it," he said and cautioned about presence of "hawks" who could derail the peace process.

"There are hawks on both sides, more in India than in Pakistan. There are coalition governments on one side and hawks on the other side," he said.

In view of this, the two countries could take steps to build consensus on both sides, Jamali said.

Asked how flexible Pakistan would be during talks, he said, "Either we convince India on our principles or they convince us on theirs. This can only happen through dialogue and you cannot fight wars.... This is the point I want to emphasise."

On whether Pakistan is willing to review its Kashmir policy, he said, "I won't say review the Kashmir policy because that policy has been there, is there and will remain there till a decision is taken. What decision comes up, we will wait and see."

PTI