The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, New Delhi

Pakistan's foreign minister and his Indian counterpart began talks in New Delhi Friday to boost a slow-moving peace process between the rivals still at odds over the 60-year-old Kashmir dispute.

"The ongoing peace process is central to peace, security and prosperity in our region," said Pakistan's Shah Mehmood Qureshi on his arrival in New Delhi.

"It is in our common interest to deepen this process through partnership in peace and development. It is therefore important that both countries now move from conflict management to conflict resolution," he said in a statement.

Qureshi and Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee will "review the peace talks and discuss fresh steps" to anchor the process, a senior Indian foreign ministry official said.

A proposal to start a truck service to promote trade between Indian and Pakistani-administered zones of Kashmir has been languishing for months, the official said, adding "this could get a push" at the talks. Other measures to improve confidence, including new bus and rail links, would also be considered, he said.

Reports said India would raise the issue of alleged infiltrations from Pakistan by Islamic militants battling Indian-rule over part of Kashmir.

India says Pakistan supports the Muslim insurgency in its region of Kashmir, helping rebels to cross under the cover of fire from Pakistani border guards, a charge Islamabad denies.

Violence in the revolt-hit region has declined considerably since the neighbours launched peace talks in 2004, but India's defence minister said last week he feared an upsurge in the run-up to state polls later this year.

The warning came after several clashes in recent weeks along the Line of Control separating Indian and Pakistani-controlled Kashmir.

The insurgency has left more than 43,000 people dead since it started in 1989.

Qureshi's visit comes a month after a visit by his Indian counterpart to Islamabad.