Pakistanis and Indians optimistic over future

By Sanjoy Majumder and Soutik Biswas
BBC News Online correspondents in Islamabad and Delhi

Many people in India and Pakistan are now optimistic that the ice has finally melted between India and Pakistan following Monday's landmark talks between the two countries' leaders - a meeting followed by a commitment to hold peace talks.

Analysts say the decision by President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee to start talks next month is a step forward towards resolving long-standing differences.

Indian police fighting separatists in Jammu last week

"I think this time both the leaders mean business," Delhi-based analyst Prem Shankar Jha told BBC News Online.

"There is an awareness that time is slipping by and the changed world situation makes the cost of bickering between the subcontinental neighbours very high."

Many ordinary people share that view.

"Though the outcome of the recent meeting is being kept secret, I am sure something good will emerge," said Surinder Mahajan, a businessman based in the city of Jammu in Indian-administered Kashmir.

Jammu has often borne the brunt of the violence in Kashmir that has been widespread since the late 1980s.

Most people in the city were positive about the developments between India and Pakistan.

"It is good that the two countries are moving cautiously this time as the issues involved are serious and sensitive," social worker Renu Anand said.

"Slowly but surely is a good way of moving forward."

'All want peace'

On the streets of the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, the mood is upbeat following the talks between General Musharraf and Mr Vajpayee. "I am really pleased that they met each other," says one local, Junaid.

Good outcome, finally - let's hope this peace lasts Munir Shopkeeper in Rawalpindi

"There were all these rumours that they may not but that has not happened. Now they should take the peace process forward."

Nazneen, a school teacher, says that the two leaders appeared to have gauged the public sentiment on both sides.

"All of us want peace and prosperity for our countries. I think President Musharraf has understood that and it appears that the Indian prime minister is also aware of it.

"Both of them should recognise that all South Asians want the region to move ahead and progress and not be held back through hostility."

Across the capital, in the twin city of Rawalpindi, the mood is also positive but laced with caution.

Little is being revealed of what the two men discussed on Monday

"Good outcome, finally," says Munir, a shopkeeper. "Let's hope this peace lasts."

But Iqbal, a lawyer, says no progress can be made without any resolution of the Kashmir dispute.

"Kashmir is the main problem that has affected our relations for more than half a century.

"India wants to brush it under the carpet and it appears President Musharraf is willing to sacrifice Pakistan's Kashmir policy.

"That would be a mistake."

'Fingers crossed'

Indian newspapers agree that Monday's talks, held on the sidelines of a South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation (Saarc) summit in Islamabad, were very important.

"Perhaps the most significant proposal made at the meeting was the institution of 'special envoys' to cut through the decades of hostility that seemed to defeat every attempt at peace," reported The Indian Express.

The two sides have accomplished more milestones in the last five days than have been possible during the last five decades Pakistan's Dawn newspaper

The Hindustan newspaper praised both sides for avoiding the usual mutual sniping that has often characterised relations between Islamabad and Delhi.

"For the first time in 15 years, Pakistan acted with prudence by not raising the Kashmir issue during the Saarc summit proceedings," the paper said.

"India reciprocated by not holding Pakistan directly responsible for terrorism," it added. But there was some scepticism about the progress the two countries had made in resolving their disputes.

The Pioneer newspaper said no real progress could be achieved if Pakistan did not "end its sponsorship of cross border terrorism against this country as an instrument of state policy and dismantle the infrastructure that it has set up for this."

Other analysts like former Indian foreign secretary SK Singh say India has to be cautious about Pakistani leaders reneging on agreements.

"The two leaders are quite capable of taking decisions that are unusual. Let us assume they can do that," Mr Singh said.

"But we have to be cautious because these people [Pakistani leaders] make agreements and never keep them. So let us keep our fingers crossed."

'Ice has melted'

Some Pakistani newspapers see a chance for a real breakthrough.

"Analysts on both sides agree that the two sides have accomplished more milestones in the last five days than have been possible during the last five decades," the Dawn newspaper said.

"For now the chicken-and-egg debate on who will act first is on its way out."

And the News says: "The ice has melted, the beginning has been made - whatever the cynics may like one to believe."

Pakistani analysts believe the Indians have got what they always wanted - a composite dialogue in which Kashmir is one of many issues discussed rather than the primary one.

"Pakistan has always held the position that Kashmir is the core issue and must be discussed first," says analyst Ayaz Amir.

"Now it appears they have softened their stance."