Indian and Pakistan leaders talk peace

The leaders of India and Pakistan met today and promised measures to gradually ease tensions between their nations and explore a peaceful settlement for the disputed Kashmir region.

After the session in a New York hotel, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf said they also discussed the possibility of running a natural gas pipeline between their nations, saying “such a project could contribute to the welfare and prosperity of the people of both countries.”

Since both gained independence from Britain in 1947, the nuclear-armed neighbours have fought two of their three wars over Kashmir, which is split between them and divided by a 1972 cease-fire line called the Line of Control.

The leaders said in a joint statement that they agreed that “possible options for a peaceful negotiated settlement” for Kashmir should be explored “in a sincere spirit and purposeful manner.”

Both men are in New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly.