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S Asia rivals resume peace talks India-Pakistan talks 'start well'
(about 4 hours later)
India and Pakistan have begun their first talks since the train bombings in Mumbai (Bombay) in July. India says the first peace talks with Pakistan since July's train bombings in Mumbai (Bombay) have started well.
Indian Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon and his Pakistani counterpart Riaz Mohammad Khan are meeting in the Indian capital, Delhi. The foreign secretaries of the two countries held an "extensive and constructive" first day of talks on Tuesday, an Indian spokesman said.
India blamed Pakistan for the bombings, a charge which Pakistan denied. India blamed Pakistan for the Mumbai bombs and suspended the peace process.
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 talks in Delhi focussed on ways of combating terror. Analysts say the talks are not expected to produce any major breakthroughs.
Mr Khan arrived in Delhi on Monday evening for two days of talks. However, the negotiations are being seen as an indication that the peace process between the two South Asian rivals has not been derailed.
"I am looking forward to very constructive discussions with the [Indian] foreign secretary," he told reporters on arrival. Terrorism focus
'Assurances' The Delhi talks are being led by Indian Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon and his Pakistani counterpart, Riaz Mohammad Khan.
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. "The talks reviewed the composite dialogue process, Kashmir, and examined ways to implement a proposed anti-terror mechanism that the two countries have agreed to set up," Navtej Sarna of India's External Affairs Ministry told reporters.
"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. Violence in Kashmir on Tuesday left 21 people injured
"A considerable amount of time was spent discussing terrorism," he said.
After July's bombs in Mumbai, India put the peace process on hold until the leaders of the two countries met on the sidelines of the non-aligned summit in the Cuban capital, Havana, in September.
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. Analysts in India have expressed doubts as to whether such a mechanism will be effective as they argue that Pakistan's intelligence services are supporting militant groups - claims denied by Islamabad.
India and Pakistan have said they will work together against terrorism Before the talks, Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee was quoted by the AFP news agency as saying he "would like that [Pakistan] should stick to assurances which they have given".
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".
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.
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.
In the latest violence in Indian-administered Kashmir, 21 people were injured in two incidents.In the latest violence in Indian-administered Kashmir, 21 people were injured in two incidents.
Police said 15 people - seven policemen and eight civilians - were injured in a car bomb explosion near a paramilitary camp in Srinagar.Police said 15 people - seven policemen and eight civilians - were injured in a car bomb explosion near a paramilitary camp in Srinagar.
Police said militants first threw a grenade towards a paramilitary camp and, minutes later, a car laden with explosives, parked near the camp, blew up.Police said militants first threw a grenade towards a paramilitary camp and, minutes later, a car laden with explosives, parked near the camp, blew up.
Earlier in the day, a landmine explosion in Baramullah town, wounded an army major, two soldiers, and six civilians. Earlier in the day, a landmine explosion in the town of Baramullah, wounded an army major, two soldiers and six civilians.
'Near agreement''Near agreement'
The peace process between the two countries started in 2004.The peace process between the two countries started in 2004.
India and Pakistan have said they will work together against terrorism
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.
On the eve of the talks, 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 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.
But he insisted the two sides were near agreement on Siachen despite "certain circles in India [who] objected".But he insisted the two sides were near agreement on Siachen despite "certain circles in India [who] objected".
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.