Pakistan and India agreed today to start a historic bus service between the capitals of divided Kashmir, the first direct link between the two sides of the Himalayan province that has been at the heart of decades of bloodshed.

Britain's Deputy Prime minister John Prescott arrived in Delhi today for talks with India’s new leaders aimed at enhancing the strong ties between the two countries, the British High Commission said.

Communist parties have slammed India’s foreign minister for saying the country may consider sending troops to Iraq following a UN resolution endorsing the planned US transfer of political authority to an interim Iraqi government.

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.

PAKISTAN is ready to discuss India’s concerns about terrorism, Islamabad’s new ambassador to New Delhi was reported to have said yesterday.

INDIA yesterday rejected a US request for peacekeeping troops in Iraq, saying it would consider sending soldiers only under a United Nations mandate.

India today rejected a US request for peacekeeping troops in Iraq, saying it would consider sending soldiers only under a United Nations mandate.

The Government wanted a United Nations peacekeeping force sent in as the North slid into chaos in 1969 – but the British would have none of it, according to official papers made public today.

India’s new foreign minister doubts Pakistan intends to stop cross-border incursions by Islamic militants in Kashmir completely, and said India must be "very, very careful"’ in dealing with Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf.

India’s prime minister snubbed Pakistan’s president and shrugged off his plea for dialogue today, apparently ending all possibility of talks between the nuclear-armed nations whose armies are on high alert.

Hopes that another war between India and Pakistan can be averted rose today, with increasing signs that the country’s leaders will meet at an Asian summit in Nepal this week.