The foreign secretaries of India and Pakistan on Thursday began two days of talks that will discuss all issues, including terrorism and Jammu and Kashmir, to bridge trust deficit that touched a new low after the 26/11 Mumbai attack.
Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao began delegation-level talks with her Pakistani counterpart Salman Bashir that are expected to spread over four sessions over the next two days.
The two top diplomats will discuss a cluster of issues revolving around peace and security, including confidence building measures; Jammu & Kashmir and promotion of friendly exchanges.
Rao touched down in the Pakistani capital in the morning, saying she was approaching the two-day talks with an 'open and constructive mind'.
"I have come to Pakistan with an open mind and a constructive spirit in order to work towards building trust and confidence in our relationship and thereby leading to an eventual normalization of relations for the well-being and prosperity of our two peoples," Rao said in her arrival statement.
She added that this was an "important visit as it marks the penultimate leg of the resumed dialogue process before the visit of the foreign minister of Pakistan to India by July 2011".
"I bring with me the best wishes of the people and government of India for the people and government of Pakistan. We wish to see a stable, peaceful and prosperous Pakistan," she added.