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Rivals sign prisoner swap accord Rivals sign prisoner access deal
(about 1 hour later)
India and Pakistan have signed a prisoner exchange accord and agreed to meet again in July after talks in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad. India and Pakistan have signed an accord granting greater access to prisoners in each other's jails.
The announcement came after two days of talks - the first since a new civilian government took over in Pakistan. The deal came after two days of talks in Islamabad - the first since a new civilian government took over in Pakistan earlier this year.
Officials from both sides were reviewing peace moves which were suspended last year after political instability in Pakistan. Officials were reviewing peace moves which were suspended last year after political instability in Pakistan. The sides agreed to meet again in July.
Four years of talks have made little headway on key issues such as Kashmir.Four years of talks have made little headway on key issues such as Kashmir.
The nuclear-armed neighbours both claim the Muslim-majority Himalayan territory in its entirety. They came close to war following an attack on India's parliament in December 2001.The nuclear-armed neighbours both claim the Muslim-majority Himalayan territory in its entirety. They came close to war following an attack on India's parliament in December 2001.
So far talks have produced a number of confidence building measures, such as transport links and nuclear safeguards.So far talks have produced a number of confidence building measures, such as transport links and nuclear safeguards.
There have also been a number of prisoner exchanges by both sides - Wednesday's accord formalises procedures for such swaps.
'Spirit of co-operation''Spirit of co-operation'
Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee kicked off Wednesday's talks by meeting President Pervez Musharraf, before talks with his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi. Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee met President Pervez Musharraf on Wednesday, before talks with his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi.
Mr Mukherjee was visiting Islamabad after many monthsMr Mukherjee was visiting Islamabad after many months
"We approach the [talks] in a spirit of co-operation, trust and pragmatism," the Indian foreign minister said in a statement. At a news conference at the end of the visit, Mr Mukherjee said the meetings had been a success.
"This is predicated on an atmosphere free from terrorism, violence and the threat of it." While conceding there was a lot of ground to cover, he said he was heartened by the eagerness of Pakistan's leadership to forge a closer relationship with India.
The BBC's Barbara Plett in Islamabad said the visit would review progress made in the last round of the peace process, and prepare for the next stage. Mr Qureshi said it was in the "common interest" to continue dialogue and that it had benefited people in both countries.
But perhaps more importantly, our correspondent says, Pranab Mukherjee would be gauging the new government's policy towards India. But he added that progress needed to be made on resolving the dispute over Kashmir.
Analysts believe the dialogue was more of a reconnaissance mission to gauge the new Pakistani government's policy towards India.
Although little progress has been made on the status of the Muslim majority region of Kashmir, which is divided between the two states, relations have improved.Although little progress has been made on the status of the Muslim majority region of Kashmir, which is divided between the two states, relations have improved.
President Pervez Musharraf has floated some new proposals on Kashmir, and he also reduced the infiltration of Islamist militants from Pakistan, who are fighting Indian rule in Kashmir.President Pervez Musharraf has floated some new proposals on Kashmir, and he also reduced the infiltration of Islamist militants from Pakistan, who are fighting Indian rule in Kashmir.
The Indians have often blamed these militants for attacks within their country, but they did not do so after recent bombings in the city of Jaipur.The Indians have often blamed these militants for attacks within their country, but they did not do so after recent bombings in the city of Jaipur.
Truce 'breaches'Truce 'breaches'
Analysts say the newly elected government is likely to carry on the precedent set by Mr Musharraf, but rifts within Pakistan's new coalition suggest further political instability, and may hinder progress.Analysts say the newly elected government is likely to carry on the precedent set by Mr Musharraf, but rifts within Pakistan's new coalition suggest further political instability, and may hinder progress.
Violence in Indian-controlled Kashmir has reduced markedly since a 2003 ceasefire between India and Pakistan.Violence in Indian-controlled Kashmir has reduced markedly since a 2003 ceasefire between India and Pakistan.
But recent firing incidents at the Line of Control and rare allegations of ceasefire breaches underline how fragile the peace is.But recent firing incidents at the Line of Control and rare allegations of ceasefire breaches underline how fragile the peace is.
In the past week India's army has twice accused Pakistani troops of firing across the de facto border.In the past week India's army has twice accused Pakistani troops of firing across the de facto border.
Pakistan's army says allegations its troops breached the ceasefire are baseless.Pakistan's army says allegations its troops breached the ceasefire are baseless.