India, Pakistan peace talks set for May 21

NEW DELHI, May 5 (UPI) -- India said it will hold the next round of talks with Pakistan from May 21 to take the ongoing peace process forward.

The Foreign Office said the government is expected to press for more bus services between the two countries. An official said that during the visit of Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee to Pakistan, the two sides may also discuss issues relating to border security and terrorism, and propose other confidence-building measures. Mukherjee is scheduled to visit Islamabad from May 21 to participate in bilateral peace talks with his counterpart, Shah Mahmood Qureshi.

This will be the first top-level dialogue between the two South Asian nations after a new government came to power in Pakistan. Talks are also expected to propose an increase in the frequency of the semimonthly Srinagar-Muzaffarabad and Poonch-Rawalakot bus services to make them weekly.

During the talks, which have been delayed because of political turmoil in Pakistan, the two sides will review the fourth round of composite dialogue and assess progress made on eight issues, including Jammu & Kashmir, Siachin, Sir Creek and terrorism.

The talks will also set the tone for the fifth round of composite dialog and will be preceded by foreign secretary-level discussions on May 20, the official said.