Pakistan, India foreign secretaries meet in New Delhi

The foreign secretaries' meeting, just five months after the nations resumed bilateral discussions, was expected to focus on confidence-building measures including cross-border trade and visa protocols before the countries' foreign ministers meet Wednesday.

“This is essentially a preparatory round,” Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao told reporters before meeting Pakistani counterpart Salman Bashir in New Delhi. “We had a very good meeting in Islamabad last month, and this has, in a sense, set the trend for our discussions here today.”

“We have every reason to be satisfied with our joint endeavors for the cause of peace and stability and for good relations between our two countries,” Bashir said.

Tuesday's talks lasted a few hours, but the discussions were not detailed afterward.

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani told reporters Tuesday in Islamabad that the talks were the “only way forward to improve ties with India.”

India's defense minister also said the two sides would hopefully “be able to find a solution in the long run,” but would plan for contingencies.

“We will continue dialogue on the one side and on the other side, we will strengthen our national security apparatus,” Defense Minister A.K. Antony said.

Copyright Associated Press, 2011