New peace talks held between India and Pakistan

Source: CCTV.com | 11-15-2006 14:00

Top diplomats from India and Pakistan have begun talks in New Delhi for the first time in nearly a year. They are seeking to revive a peace process that was halted by deadly train bombings in Mumbai in July. The primary focus will be on the joint mechanism on terrorism.

International pressure has helped push the neighbors back to the negotiating table after India suspended the talks. India claimed that Pakistani intelligence played a role in the Mumbai bombings on July 11. But Pakistan denied the accusation.

Indian Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon and his Pakistani counterpart, Riaz Mohammad Khan are heading the respective delegations.

The two-day talks come a few months after Indian and Pakistani leaders agreed to resume negotiations after meeting on the sidelines of a Non-Aligned Movement summit in September.

The talks have made slow progress, particularly over the key Kashmir dispute, and have been undermined by violent attacks by militants in Kashmir and across India.

New Delhi says Islamabad has not done enough to curb anti-India militants based in Pakistan. Islamabad says separatist violence can only cease when the Kashmir dispute is settled.

Editor:Sun Luying