State-run telecom firm Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd on Tuesday said it has started negotiations with Tatas-owned Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltd to work out a framework for deriving synergies on its proposed international long distance services, for which it acquired licence earlier this year.

"We have set up a high level working group to work out the details. I can only say that a framework suitable to both parties will be finalised," Prithipal Singh, CMD of BSNL, told PTI in New Delhi.

As per preliminary discussions, VSNL may lease out their infrastructure to BSNL for routing the latter's ISD traffic after February 2004 when the 'preferred carrier' status of VSNL ends.

Asked whether BSNL would start offering its ISD services independently, Singh declined to comment.

"I am meeting the top brass of VSNL next week in Mumbai in this regard... I hope a final framework will be worked out in two to three months," he said.

The working group, involving senior officials from both the organisations have already held various rounds of meetings and would be submitting final recommendations soon, he added.