Nuclear-armed rivals India and Pakistan began historic meetings today aimed at preparing the way for a sustained peace dialogue on Kashmir and other disputes that have kept the neighbours at loggerheads for decades.
The talks - the first in more than two years - take place amid "new momentum" for peace backed by the political will of Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, who agreed to resume the dialogue last month, said Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesman Mr Masood Khan.
"There is realisation in India and Pakistan that war is not an option, that you have to look at ways to find peaceful resolution of the outstanding disputes between the two countries," Mr Khan said. "There's new momentum, this momentum must be maintained."
Mr Jalil Abbas Jilani, a director-general in Pakistan's Foreign Ministry, and Mr Arun Kumar Singh, a joint secretary in India's External Affairs Ministry, shook hands and smiled before the start of the meeting. in the Pakistani capital Islamabad.
The talks will last until Wednesday, culminating in a meeting between the countries' foreign secretaries - one level below foreign minister.
The talks represent the first real test of the two sides' willingness to show flexibility on long-entrenched positions, such as the disputed Kashmir region - the cause of two of the countries' three wars since their 1947 independence.
Mr Khan said the meeting took place in a "cordial atmosphere and constructive manner," adding "both sides expressed satisfaction over the progress made on the first day".
The two sides suggested dates for future talks addressing eight issues, including Kashmir, confidence-building measures in the nuclear field, terrorism and drugs, economic cooperation and a river dispute, diplomats said. The timeframe was expected to be decided over the next two days.
AP