India and Pakistan to hold peace talks

BBC News, 4 July 2012

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Both countries say that they
are eager to talk

Senior Indian and Pakistani diplomats are due to hold talks to bolster a fragile peace process.

Indian Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai and his Pakistani counterpart Jalil Abbas Jilani are meeting in the Indian capital, Delhi.

Last month the two sides held inconclusive talks over a maritime boundary dispute and the demilitarisation of a glacier.

Relations between the two countries have been gradually improving.

Mr Jilani said ahead of the talks that he has been "mandated" by his leadership to move the peace process forward and was looking forward to a "very constructive" talks with his Indian counterpart.

"During our talks, we will discuss peace and security, Jammu and Kashmir and promotion of friendly exchanges," he was quoted as saying by India's state-run Doordarshan news channel.

Last month, the neighbours held talks on a long-running maritime border dispute focussed on Sir Creek, a narrow marsh area between the two countries.

It followed inconclusive talks on the demilitarisation of the Siachen Glacier.

And in April Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari held "friendly" talks with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on a rare visit to India.

Relations between the two countries have been gradually improving since peace talks were derailed after the Mumbai attacks in November 2008.

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