国际英语新闻：Pakistan-India talks pave way for further talks

ISLAMABAD, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- At a most critical juncture of their relations, Pakistan and India held their first official talks on Thursday in 15 months and agreed to maintain process of peace talks.

Briefing media after talks in New Delhi, Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao and her Pakistani counterpart Salman Bashir said the negotiations were meaningful and both the countries have agreed to prolong such dialogues. Nirupama Rao said the Mumbai attacks had broken the mutual trust between the two countries.

Salman Bashir said Pakistan is keen for sound relations with India and the real issue for both nations is to bring stability to the region.

India's Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao (L) shakes hands with her Pakistani counterpart Salman Bashir before their meeting in New Delhi February 25, 2010. The top diplomats of India and Pakistan began on Thursday their first official talks since the 2008 Mumbai attacks, but hopes of progress remain limited as the rival neighbours seek to end a diplomatic freeze.

On Feb. 4, India offered to hold talks and Pakistan welcomed it, making Thursday's talks a stepping stone for the two countries to resume composite dialogue process, which was broken off after the deadly attacks on Indian city of Mumbai in 2008 that killed over 170 people and dumped the peace process.

Three wars have been fought between the two nuclear-armed nations since 1947. Pakistan is firmed in its stance over the core and contentious issue of Kashmir and India is wary of Pakistan- based militants involvement in terror attacks in India.

Salman Bashir, who is leading a six-member delegation of Pakistan, told media before the meeting that the agenda for talks is open and he is hopeful for positive results