MANMOHAN SINGH TO VISIT ISLAMABAD?

The much-anticipated, long-delayed high-level talks between India and Pakistan’s new government are now set to take place this month. Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee is expected to fly to Islamabad to hold talks with his Pakistani counterpart, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, on 21 May. The foreign secretaries of both countries will also meet the preceding day to set the stage. While the progress made during the fourth round of the Composite Dialogue will feature highly on the agenda, the meeting is likely to focus on laying the groundwork for the upcoming fifth round. Both sides are keen to take up additional confidence-building measures, with India expected to suggest converting the fortnightly Srinagar-Muzaffarabad and Poonch-Rawalakot bus services into weekly ones, as well as to urge a launch of additional bus services between the Kargil-Skardu and Jammu-Sialkot segments. If all goes well, Islamabad could soon be hosting Manmohan Singh himself. For over two years, the prime minister has been waiting for a momentous breakthrough in the Composite Dialogue to visit the western neighbour – now it looks like he might be able to get his wish.