Islamabad 'destiny' talks begin (India/Pakistan relations).

BBC ^ | Tuesday, March 13, 2007

[Jedi Master Pikachu]

The talks are on Kashmir and security issues

Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has said the peace process between his country and India could "change the destiny of South Asia".

He was speaking after the first of two days of talks between the two countries in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad.

Mr Aziz said that negotiations with India could result in the resolution of all outstanding disputes.

The talks come days after the regional rivals held discussions for the first time on fighting terrorism together.

The nations began peace moves in 2004 but progress has been slow.

'Right direction'

"The ongoing interaction between Pakistan and India can result in [the] resolution of outstanding disputes between the two countries and change the destiny of South Asia," Mr Aziz said.

He was speaking after the first day of talks between Indian Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon and his Pakistani counterpart, Riaz Mohammed.

Mr Menon, who was ambassador to Islamabad from 2003 to 2006, met Mr Aziz at the end of the first day's discussions and told him they had been "useful and moving in the right direction", the premier's office said in a statement.

The rivals have fought two wars over Kashmir

The statement said that Mr Aziz had been assured that India would share with Pakistan the results of its inquiry into last month's firebombing of a train between the two countries which killed 69 people, many of them Pakistanis returning home.

Pakistani officials say the Indians have given them the sketch of a suspect said to be from Pakistan who was allegedly involved in the firebombing.

Officials say that other issues high on the agenda for the talks are the Kashmir dispute and improving security.

Last week, the two sides agreed to exchange specific information that could help investigations or prevent terrorist attacks.

'Cordial atmosphere'

The two countries recently signed an agreement aimed at reducing the risk of accidental nuclear war in the region. Both have nuclear-capable weapons.

Last month's train attack left more than 60 people dead

Two years ago, they agreed to give each other notice of nuclear missile tests and in 1985 they signed an accord not to attack each other's nuclear installations.

A Pakistani foreign office official said the negotiations on Kashmir and on limiting nuclear and conventional arsenals were held in a "cordial atmosphere".

"The two sides will meet again on Wednesday and a joint statement would be issued after the meeting," the official told Reuters news agency.

[Jedi Master Pikachu]

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