Anil Ambani's conduct so far makes it difficult for Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) to believe that he has had a real change of heart.

Mukesh Ambani's company issued a statement to this effect on Sunday, in response to what is being called Anil's olive branch to his elder brother. In a surprise move hours before, Anil had reached out to his estranged brother saying all disagreements can be sorted out in a cordial and conciliatory manner.

But RIL's response said that "issues in the dispute can only be decisively resolved by a decision of the highest court."

It added, "The dispute under litigation is not merely a family matter, as Anil Ambani's statement tries to make out to be. Vital national interests, including government's revenue from the natural gas, are at stake."

Anil had called for renewed efforts to end all disputes with brother Mukesh, on his return from a pilgrimage to Kedarnath and Badrinath on the eve of Diwali.

But RIL's statement claims that just 24 hours before seeking peace, Anil's company filed an affidavit in court accusing Mukesh of criminal breach of trust. "For last many years, Anil Ambani has indulged in a malicious campaign against RIL and its chairman," the RIL response said.

The two brothers are engaged in a bitter court battle over allocation of gas and the Supreme Court will commence hearing of the case from October 20.

It may be recalled that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had earlier wished that the two brothers come together in the larger national interest and similar sentiments were echoed by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and other senior government functionaries.