Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has confirmed that he plans to meet his recently elected Pakistani counterpart, Nawaz Sharif, for the first time on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly this weekend.
In a statement before leaving for New York, Singh said he looked forward to bilateral meetings with the leaders of neighbors Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal.
Analysts say the meeting with Sharif raises hopes of a possible resumption of stalled peace talks.
Sharif has expressed his desire for better relations with India, but recent skirmishes along the Line of Control (LoC) -- the de facto boundary that divides the disputed Kashmir region -- have cast doubt on any progress being made.
Five Indian soldiers were killed in August along the LoC, an incident that Delhi blamed on the Pakistan Army.
Islamabad denied any responsibility for the ambush, which sparked weeks of tensions.
In a statement before leaving for New York, Singh said he looked forward to bilateral meetings with the leaders of neighbors Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal.
Analysts say the meeting with Sharif raises hopes of a possible resumption of stalled peace talks.
Sharif has expressed his desire for better relations with India, but recent skirmishes along the Line of Control (LoC) -- the de facto boundary that divides the disputed Kashmir region -- have cast doubt on any progress being made.
Five Indian soldiers were killed in August along the LoC, an incident that Delhi blamed on the Pakistan Army.
Islamabad denied any responsibility for the ambush, which sparked weeks of tensions.