"We will try to narrow the gap of perception when Strobe Talbott, US assistant secretary of state, and I meet in Washington next week," Singh told the economic editors conference here.

He, however, refused to give details of the talks he had with Talbott on the issue saying "the confidentiality has been agreed between Strobe and me and it would not be fair to disclose anything at this stage."

He said he was committed not to reveal the outcome of his five rounds of secret talks with Talbott and the only update on the talks was that efforts to narrow the gap would continue between "a great country that is united states and a great civilisation that is India".

Reports from Washington have suggested that the meeting between Singhand Talbott would take place on September 24.

This will be the fifth meeting between the two sides after India conducted nuclear tests in May. Singh and Talbott have met twice in Washington and once each in Frankfurt and New Delhi.