S. Asian foes aim to give peace bid new impetus

S. Asian foes aim to give peace bid new impetus

Reuters, Islamabad

India's foreign minister arrived in Pakistan on Monday to push
forward a fledgling peace process between the South Asian rivals
by building trust in the flashpoint region of Kashmir.

Natwar Singh, former ambassador to Pakistan, was in Islamabad
for the first time in nearly 16 years to attend a regional
economic forum, but attention will focus on his talks with his
Pakistani counterpart Khursheed Mehmood Kasuri.

"I have come with a message of goodwill from the government
and the people of India," he told reporters on arrival.

"I shall do my best to use this opportunity to contribute
further to creating an even better climate for taking forward our
composite dialog process."

Singh is due to meet President Pervez Musharraf, who along
with former Indian prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee is the
main architect of a peace process aimed at ending decades of
enmity over the disputed region of Kashmir.

Earlier in the day, top diplomats from nuclear-armed India and
Pakistan discussed proposals on how to take the process forward,
including a slew of measures relating to Kashmir.

"We looked at proposals on Jammu and Kashmir, how they can be
taken forward and implemented," Indian Foreign Secretary
Shashank, who has one name, told a news conference.

Shashank did not give details about the proposals.

But Indian officials have said the two sides were looking to
launch a bus service that connects Indian and Pakistani Kashmir
and boost ties between the divided population. Talks have been
delayed by differences over passenger documentation.

"We had good talks. The spirit was good, the discussions were
good," Pakistani Foreign Secretary Riaz Khokhar said.

Political analysts say they do not expect a major breakthrough
this week and view the talks as another opportunity to build
trust between the traditional foes.

The two countries came to the brink of war in 2002. But the
restoration of transport links and diplomatic missions, along
with symbolic steps including an Indian cricket tour of Pakistan
and resumption of formal dialogue have raised hopes of a lasting
settlement.

India and Pakistan have fought three wars, two of them over

Kashmir, which both countries claim.

Analysts say the reticence of officials to detail ideas being
put forward reflects the sensitivity of the Kashmir dispute and
the decades of mistrust that have soured ties since independence.

Pakistan insists Kashmir be at the forefront of negotiations,
raising concern among many diplomats that tackling the issue of
sovereignty could scupper talks before they really begin.

"The solution to Kashmir is very much the process," said a
Western diplomat in Islamabad. "This requires a suspension (for
now) of the consideration of sovereignty."

The shock victory by Singh's Congress party in Indian
elections in May has brought new players to the table, which
coupled with a fresh wave of violence in Indian Kashmir could
limit New Delhi's ability to compromise.

In the latest bloodshed, three people were killed and 20
wounded by an explosion blamed on Muslim militants in southern
Kashmir. It was the second attack on Mangat Ram Sharma, deputy
chief minister of Indian Kashmir, in a week. He escaped unhurt.

Tens of thousands of people have died in a 15-year rebellion
in Indian Kashmir that New Delhi blames on Pakistani militants
but which Islamabad says is a struggle against Indian occupation.

Asked if increased violence in Kashmir could hurt the peace
process, Khokhar said: "Let's not get into that at this stage."