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Summary Pakistan's Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir arrived in Delhi Monday evening.
Bashir would hold talks with his Indian counterpart Nirupama Rao on a wide range of bilateral issues with a view to firming up the agenda for talks between External Affairs Minister SM Krishna and his Pakistani counterpart Hina Rabbani Khar on Wednesday.Hina, Pakistans first woman foreign minister and the youngest to occupy the post, would arrive in New Delhi on Tuesday. She is also scheduled to meet Indian PM Manmohan Singh, Congress leader Sonia Gandhi and Kashmiri leaders.An increase in the frequency of cross-Kashmir bus links between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad and Poonch and Rawalakot, an increase in the number of trading days across the Line of Control (LoC), and opening of more trading points are expected to be the tangible outcomes of talks.Also to be discussed, sources said, would be measures to liberalise the visa regime though there may not be any immediate agreement on this.After the talks between the foreign ministers, the two sides will announce a slew of CBMs aimed at lowering barriers to expanded trade and travel across the two divided halves of Kashmir.Ahead of the talks, both sides have struck a positive tone, but are keen not to raise the expectations.
