Press sees scant progress from Indo-Pakistan talks

Both the Indian and Pakistani press believe the talks between their respective prime ministers in Delhi have achieved little of substance.

Most Pakistani papers feel the onus was on India to resolve the matter of Kashmir. However, they are divided on how Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz handled talks with Kashmiri separatist leaders in the Indian capital.

One Indian paper feels Mr Aziz had nothing new to say in Delhi. Others criticize Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf's threat to revert to demands for a UN plebiscite on Kashmiri self-determination.

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Statements by various Indian leaders show a general consensus to resolve all controversial issues including Kashmir. But it is not clear whether the present Indian government intends to strengthen this consensus through talks or derail it. This will be clarified only with practical progress on Kashmir after the Aziz-Singh meeting.

Peshawar's Urdu-language Mashriq

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This is a golden period for solving this issue. If Indian leaders waste this opportunity, then it won't come again in the next few years. Indian leaders should show political courage. And if they show flexibility, there is no reason why an acceptable solution to Kashmir cannot be found.

Islamabad Urdu-language daily Ausaf

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During his meeting with Shaukat Aziz, Indian Foreign Minister Natwar Singh rightly said there was a reasonable chance to resolve all controversial issues, including Kashmir. If we fail to tackle this jointly, future generations will never forgive us.

Peshawar's Urdu-language Express

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Aziz held a four-hour long meeting with Kashmiri [separatist] leaders in New Delhi which reached a consensus that Kashmir should be resolved according to the wishes of Kashmiris. We welcome the fact that the Kashmiri leadership have agreed on this point.

Islamabad Urdu-language Nawa-i-Waqt

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Aziz maintained a "diplomatic silence" [in talks with Kashmiri separatists] ... This is an indication that Islamabad doesn't want to derail the current engagement with Delhi.

The Indian Express

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Aziz talked tantalisingly of the promise of a peaceful South Asia but his road map to get there was high on motherhood-and-apple-pie and low on specifics.

India's The Telegraph

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Gen Musharraf's threat to revive the demand for a plebiscite and his tough talking will have no impact on the Kashmiri political situation.

India's Urdu-language Qaumi Awaz

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It is nothing more than a Pakistani illusion that India would accept a mediation proposal. It's high time Pakistan took the right path.

India's Punjabi-language Jullundur Akali Patrika

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Both sides realize that the Kashmir dispute is squeezing blood from their veins but neither of them think it fit to budge from their position on Kashmir.

Kashmir's Urdu-language Srinagar Times

BBC Monitoring, based in Caversham in southern England, selects and translates information from radio, television, press, news agencies and the Internet from 150 countries in more than 70 languages.