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S Asia rivals resume peace talks S Asia rivals resume peace talks
(about 3 hours later)
India and Pakistan have begun their first talks since the train bombings in Mumbai (Bombay) in July.India and Pakistan have begun their first talks since the train bombings in Mumbai (Bombay) in July.
Indian Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon and his Pakistani counterpart Riaz Mohammad Khan are meeting in the Indian capital, Delhi.Indian Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon and his Pakistani counterpart Riaz Mohammad Khan are meeting in the Indian capital, Delhi.
India blamed Pakistan for the bombings, a charge which Pakistan denied.India blamed Pakistan for the bombings, a charge which Pakistan denied.
The peace process was put on hold until leaders of the two countries met on the sidelines of the non-aligned summit in the Cuban capital Havana in September.The peace process was put on hold until leaders of the two countries met on the sidelines of the non-aligned summit in the Cuban capital Havana in September.
Mr Khan arrived in Delhi on Monday evening for two days of talks.Mr Khan arrived in Delhi on Monday evening for two days of talks.
"I am looking forward to very constructive discussions with the [Indian] foreign secretary," he told reporters on arrival."I am looking forward to very constructive discussions with the [Indian] foreign secretary," he told reporters on arrival.
'Assurances''Assurances'
Analysts say no major breakthrough was expected from the talks, but they were important to demonstrate that the peace process between the two South Asian rivals had not been derailed. Analysts say no major breakthrough is expected from the talks, but they are important to demonstrate that the peace process between the two South Asian rivals has not been derailed.
"Not all talks will lead to any major outcome. The greater success lies in the fact that these talks should have a regularity that is predictable," analyst C Uday Bhaskar told the AFP news agency."Not all talks will lead to any major outcome. The greater success lies in the fact that these talks should have a regularity that is predictable," analyst C Uday Bhaskar told the AFP news agency.
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf agreed in Havana to create a joint anti-terrorist "mechanism".Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf agreed in Havana to create a joint anti-terrorist "mechanism".
Mr Menon is likely to press on with the proposal and seek further commitments from Pakistan.Mr Menon is likely to press on with the proposal and seek further commitments from Pakistan.
India and Pakistan have said they will work together against terrorismIndia and Pakistan have said they will work together against terrorism
Indian officials have said that Pakistan has given assurances in the past that it will crack down on militant groups.Indian officials have said that Pakistan has given assurances in the past that it will crack down on militant groups.
Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee was quoted by AFP news agency as saying he "would like that [Pakistan] should stick to assurances which they have given".Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee was quoted by AFP news agency as saying he "would like that [Pakistan] should stick to assurances which they have given".
Pakistani officials say a resolution to the dispute over Kashmir, which is claimed by both countries, holds the key to militancy in the region.Pakistani officials say a resolution to the dispute over Kashmir, which is claimed by both countries, holds the key to militancy in the region.
Pakistani foreign secretary Riaz Mohammad Khan is likely to raise this issue in the talks. Mr Khan is likely to raise this issue in the talks.
Pakistan is also seeking progress on a proposed withdrawal of troops from Siachen glacier.Pakistan is also seeking progress on a proposed withdrawal of troops from Siachen glacier.
The two armies have been facing each other on this 5,500m (18,500-foot) high battlefield since 1984, when Indian troops occupied a part of it.The two armies have been facing each other on this 5,500m (18,500-foot) high battlefield since 1984, when Indian troops occupied a part of it.
The peace process between the two countries started in 2004.
'Near agreement''Near agreement'
The peace process between the two countries started in 2004.
It stalled in July when bombs on the Mumbai railway killed nearly 200 people. Indian officials said that Pakistani intelligence agencies were involved.It stalled in July when bombs on the Mumbai railway killed nearly 200 people. Indian officials said that Pakistani intelligence agencies were involved.
Pakistani Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri called this type of exchange "non-serious allegations" which both sides should avoid. On the eve of the talks, Pakistani Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri called this type of exchange "non-serious allegations" which both sides should avoid.
Mr Kasuri told the BBC on Monday that Pakistan had waited many months for India to provide evidence of Pakistani involvement. Mr Kasuri told the BBC that Pakistan had waited many months for India to provide evidence of Pakistani involvement.
On the subject of the Siachen glacier, Mr Kasuri said there were still some differences.On the subject of the Siachen glacier, Mr Kasuri said there were still some differences.
He said the two sides were near agreement but that "certain circles in India objected". But he insisted the two sides were near agreement on Siachen despite "certain circles in India [who] objected".
But he said he was hopeful the Indian leadership could persuade them. He said he was hopeful the Indian leadership could persuade them.
Indian and Pakistani troops have maintained a ceasefire in the glacier area since 2003, but there has been no agreement on how and when to withdraw troops permanently.Indian and Pakistani troops have maintained a ceasefire in the glacier area since 2003, but there has been no agreement on how and when to withdraw troops permanently.