New Delhi - Bilateral talks between India and Pakistan that began in 2004 have been put on hold in the aftermath of the Mumbai terrorist attacks, news reports said Wednesday.

"I do admit there is a pause in the composite dialogue process because of the attacks on Mumbai," Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee was quoted as saying by the Times of India newspaper.

Speaking to reporters Tuesday in Srinagar, capital of the northern state of Jammu and Kashmir, the minister said, "We are now waiting to see whether the assurances they have given us are taken to their logical conclusion."

India has alleged the Pakistan-based Islamic group Lashkar-e-Taiba was behind the Mumbai terrorist attacks in November, which killed more than 170 people.

India demanded Pakistan take action against militant groups based on its territory.

The four-year talks, known as the composite dialogue, has improved people-to-people ties and seen the opening of road and rail links between the South Asian neighbours.

However, little progress has been made on disputed border issues and differences over the Kashmir region.

Nuclear-capable India and Pakistan have fought three wars since independence from British rule in 1947, two of them over Kashmir. (dpa)