Politicians from both India- controlled and Pakistan-controlled Kashmir started two-day first- ever direct talks here Tuesday, discussing their role in the peace process in the region.

The talks, organized by Panthers Party, a political outfit in the Indian-controlled Kashmir, has brought prominent political leaders and intellectuals from both India-controlled and Pakistan- controlled sides of Kashmir.

Speaking at the talks, former chief minister of Indian- controlled Kashmir Farooq Abdullah expressed the hope that the talks would arrive at some solution to the Kashmir problem.

Sardar Qayyum Khan, supreme head of the All J and K Muslim Conference, is leading a 16 member delegation from Pakistan- controlled Kashmir.

He said,"There is lack of trust. We have developed a kind of temperament where in we tend to think only in terms of defeat and victory." There was a need to keep them off and try finding a peaceful solution, he added.

Before gathering in New Delhi, the leaders had assembled in Jammu in Indian-controlled Kashmir on Sept. 16 and 17.

The third round of these talks would be held in Muzaffarabad in the Pakistan-controlled side.

Kashmir was the genesis of two of the three wars India and Pakistan fought with each other in the past.

After being remained hostile for decades, the two South Asian neighbors are now in the peace process.

In early 2005, India and Pakistan launched a landmark bus service between the two sides of Kashmir, allowing families divided by the Line of Control to be reunited for the first time in nearly 60 years.

Source: Xinhua