New Delhi, Feb 24: Pakistan Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir arrived here today for much awaited talks with his Indian counterpart on Thursday.
Bashir, on his arrival here, affirmed that he was hopeful of a “positive outcome”.
“It is good to be back. I have come here to bridge the differences. I am hopeful of a positive outcome,” said Bashir, who is heading a five-member delegation, on his arrival at Delhi international airport.
Meanwhile, amid growing pessimism over the outcome of the foreign secretary level talks starting here Thursday, India Wednesday said that it was going into the meeting with an open mind to explore the possibility of future dialogue with Pakistan.
“We are not prejudging the outcome of talks”, official sources said.
Sources said; “given the complexity involved we will use this opportunity to clean the air as much as possible and seek to take the first step, even if a small one, towards the opening of possibility of future dialogue”.
 Sources said that no joint statement will be issued at the end of the talks, which are likely to focus on terrorism, water issue, Kashmir and Balochistan.
 When asked whether the Indian side will insist on the issue of terrorism, the sources said that it is not a monologue. It is a dialogue. We will raise our concerns regarding terrorism and other issues, which will help bring peace and stability in the region. Similarly Pakistan will also try to take up issues of their concern.
 The sources, however, said that India was going into talks with an open mind, but is fully conscious of the limitations imposed by the trust deficit.
 Two foreign secretaries will meet at the Hyderabad House around 1100hrs. The talks are expected to last about three hours after which foreign secretary Salman Bashir will address a press conference. Issuing a statement on Bashir’s arrival, External Affairs Ministry said during his stay, the Pakistani Foreign Secretary is also scheduled to call on minister S M Krishna and National Security Advisor Shiv Shankar Menon.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 24 Feb 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 24 Feb 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 25 Feb 2010 00:00:00 IST