New Delhi: The expert-level Indo-Pak talks on nuclear CBMs (Confidence Building Measures), scheduled to be held in New Delhi on May 25-26, have been postponed following a request from the new Indian Government.

A Pakistan foreign office statement said in Islamabad, "Today, the Government of India has requested us for the postponement of the talks on nuclear CBMs because, as a result of the recent transition in leadership, an External Affairs Minister of India has not yet taken office. India has proposed that the talks on nuclear CBMs could be held two days before the Foreign Secretary-level talks."

When contacted, External Affairs Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna confirmed that a request for a "brief postponement" has been made to Pakistan. Fresh dates would be worked out by the two sides.

It is likely to he held before the Foreign Secretary-level meeting, he said. The two foreign secretaries are slated to meet in May-June for talks on peace and security including CBMs and Jammu and Kashmir.

The postponement was expected as the new Government has just been sworn in.

The foreign office statement in Islamabad said, "Pakistan attaches importance to the continuation of the composite dialogue process and looks forward to an early scheduling of the Foreign Secretary-level talks as well talks on nuclear CBMs," the statement said.

The announcement came a day ahead of the departure of the Pakistani delegation to India to take part in the talks.

Besides specialists from the nuclear field, Pakistan Foreign office nominated two of its senior officials, Additional Secretary Tariq Usman Haider and Director General South Asia Jalil Abbas Jilani for talks. Jilani is also former deputy high commissioner to India.