Nuclear-armed rivals India and Pakistan began historic meetings today aimed at preparing the way for a sustained peace dialogue on Kashmir and other disputes that have kept the neighbours at loggerheads for decades.

Dozens of rain-soaked Indian passengers jostled onto a luxury bus today that honked wildly as it headed for Pakistan, resuming a transportation link disrupted 18 months ago by threats of war between the hostile, nuclear-armed neighbours.

Pakistan-based Islamic militants in Kashmir were lying low today amid rising US pressure on Islamabad to clampdown on terrorists who have brought India and its neighbour to the brink of a fourth war.