``The talks are ongoing,'' he told reporters at the Foreign Office, shortly after he was escorted into the building by Minister of State for External Affairs Vasundhara Raje and senior officials.

Singh was specifically asked whether a new direction would be given to the ongoing Indo-US talks he has been having with US deputy secretary of state Strobe Talbott on nuclear issues.

A senior ministry official said the Prime Minister was expected to make a statement on Indo-US talks later this week.

The 60-year old former army officer, who acted as special emissary of the Prime Minister on numerous occasions, has been holding tough negotiations with Talbott, pressing Washington's demand that India should unconditionally sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty(CTBT).

Singh has also been in the forefront of India's high-level parleys with other key countries to explain New Delhi's stand in the wake of the Pokhran tests in May this year.

Asked what his priorities would be, Singh, a trusted aide of Vajpayee and BJP's articulate exponent on foreign affairs and security matters, quipped, ``I am new to the job. I am still learning.''

``It is a great honour and a great responsibility that the Prime Minister has conferred on me. I am mindful of the eminent persons who have held this high office in the past. I will try to emulate them,'' he said.

Shortly after reaching the Foreign Office, Singh had a briefing session with Foreign Secretary K Raghunath, R S Kalha, Secretary (west), Nareshwar Dayal, Secretary (east) and S T Devare, Secretary (Economic Relations). Singh said he would decide on the priorities, after holding detailed consultations with senior officers.