India, Pakistan begin two-day talks

India and Pakistan began two days of talks here Tuesday in what is the third round of their composite dialogue that will be devoted largely to confidence building and finding ways to resolve the difficult Kashmir issue.

The Indian side, headed by Indian Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran, and the Pakistani side, led by Saran's counterpart Riaz Mohammad Khan, began their talks Tuesday morning.

The two sides will review progress made during the last two rounds of the composite dialogue and focus on mutual security and the Kashmir issue in the talks.

"During their discussions on Jammu and Kashmir, they will assess the progress of confidence building measures (CBMs) across the Line of Control (LoC)," Indian external affairs ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna said.

The officials will also finalize dates for a technical meeting to discuss the modalities for starting the Poonch-Rawalakot trans- border bus service, the truck service along the Srinagar- Muzaffarabad route, operating meeting points on the LoC in Kashmir and allowing pilgrims across the ceasefire line.

A joint statement is likely to be issued at the end of the talks Wednesday.

The two foreign secretaries will finalize the schedule of meetings of the other six subjects under the composite dialogue - the military standoff on the Siachen glacier, the Wullar barrage/ Tulbul navigation project, the Sir Creek border demarcation dispute, terrorism and drug trafficking, economic and commercial cooperation and the promotion of exchanges in various fields.

Source: Xinhua