Yesterday's opening round of talks between Indian and Pakistani officials in Islamabad went well, according to its participants.
They identified eight major issues between the two states, the most important of them their nuclear confrontation, much of it hinging around the disputed territory of Kashmir. Observers believe this is potentially the most important opportunity the two states have had for a generation to make progress in their fraught mutual relations, since their leaders' summit meeting last month began a confidence-building exercise.
India goes to the polls next month in an election which the Hindu nationalist party led by the prime minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, needs to win by moderating its anti-Muslim image and broadening its appeal. His willingness to make concessions on Kashmir will be a clear indicator of that; coming from him they carry more conviction. He can present them as a response to conciliatory gestures already hinted at by the Pakistani president, General Pervez Musharraf, who has indicated he may be ready to drop the long-standing demand for a United Nations referendum on the political future of Kashmir.
Such a dynamic of compromise has more chance of succeeding if a broad approach towards divisive issues between the two states is taken in these negotiations. Others on yesterday's preliminary agenda included trade and economic relations, people to people contacts, water, maritime issues and transport links. Already there are tentative commitments to introduce a free trade area and perhaps a common market in south Asia, making it easier to open up bilateral economic links. Train, bus and air routes have recently been reopened. The announcement that the Indian cricket team is to tour Pakistan for the first time in 14 years is a real symbol of these improving relations.
Pakistan and India sit astride one of the most dangerous conflicts in the world. Recent revelations that Pakistan's chief nuclear scientist, Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan, privately sold nuclear weapons equipment and know- how to Libya, Iran and North Korea underline this fact, coming only 18 months after the grave crisis between the two countries in the summer of 2002. That makes yesterday's preliminary session of talks to set out a road map for sustained dialogue good news indeed. Much effort will be needed in both states to roll back accumulated prejudice and enmity, including among those who have a vested political, military or ideological interest in perpetuating the conflict. The rest of the world must encourage the momentum of the talks in coming months and years.