Srinagar: Defence Minister George Fernandes on May 17 reiterated an atmosphere of mutual trust with Pakistan was needed before talks could be resumed with the nuclear neighbour.

"As far as talks are concerned, dialogue is not very important as of now. First there should be trust between the two countries. A conducive atmosphere should be there, only then can we take dialogue forward. Whatever differences we have can be then solved," Fernandes told a seminar in Srinagar.

Tensions between India and Pakistan eased last month after Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee said he would make a new bid for peace with Pakistan.

Islamabad responded by offering immediate talks to end the 55-year-old dispute over Kashmir. Fernandes also urged Kashmir's main separatist group All Party Hurriyat Conference (APHC) to join the mainstream.

ANI