Bangkok: Clearing the air on the future of peace talks with the Naga insurgent group NSCN-IM (National Socialist Council of Nagaland- Isak Muivah) following Congress-led UPA's (United Progressive Alliance) coming to power, the Centre today (July 30, 2004) asserted the exercise is "back on track" and expressed the confidence that the ceasefire between the two sides, which expires tomorrow, would be extended.

The talks between NSCN-IM Chairman Isaac Chisiswu and Secretary-general T Muivah on one side and Government's interlocutor K Padmanabiah began in Thailand's ancient capital town of Chiangmei today.

"The Government is confident of the ceasefire being extended and a Joint Statement would be issued," National Security Advisor J N Dixit told reporters in Bangkok. "The talks are on track and they are expected to be completed tonight," Dixit said.

He said the perception that the Government suddenly changed the venue of talks with NSCN-IM because of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's presence in Bangkok for the BIMSTEC summit was not correct.