Pakistan and India signed a pact Wednesday granting consular access to prisoners in each other's jails but reported no significant progress in negotiations on the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir.
Foreign ministers of the nuclear-armed neighbors on Wednesday held their first round of peace talks since a new civilian government took power in Pakistan seven weeks ago.
India's Pranab Mukherjee said that in his discussions with Pakistani leaders in Islamabad he "found a strong willingness and desire on the Pakistan side to move ahead toward full normalization of our relationship."
At the same news conference, Pakistan's Shah Mehmood Qureshi said it was in the "common interest" of both countries to continue the dialogue initiated in early 2004 _ during the rule of President Pervez Musharraf. He said it had benefited people on both sides.
But Qureshi said despite positive developments _ including growing bilateral trade now worth US$2 billion annually _ "we have not made significant progress on our core issues."
He specifically referred to their dispute over Kashmir _ the divided Himalayan enclave that is claimed in its entirety by both countries and over which they have fought two of their three wars since winning independence from Britain 60 years ago.
In a sign of how tensions have eased between longtime enemies, the two sides signed an agreement granting consular access to prisoners in each other's jails.
And on Tuesday, Pakistan announced it would release nearly 100 Indian prisoners in a goodwill gesture.
Qureshi said he would visit India in June and that a fresh round of the peace talks _ covering issues including Kashmir, the military standoff at the high-altitude Siachen Glacier, terrorism and drug trafficking, and economic cooperation _ would start in July.
The Pakistani minister said Siachen _ an icy wasteland often dubbed the world's highest battlefield _ and another border dispute over a marshland known as Sir Creek _ were both "doable issues."
In a joint statement the two countries committed to seeking "an early amicable solution" on Siachen and noted progress on resolving Sir Creek.
Mukherjee said that Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had accepted an invitation to visit Pakistan. Qureshi said the visit would take place this year.
"I am going back (to India) with a sense of satisfaction," Mukherjee said. "No doubt, there are many difficult areas. We shall have to cover a long way, but we are determined to cover that long distance."
Earlier Wednesday, Mukherjee met with Musharraf, who dominated Pakistan for eight years but gave up his post as army chief last year and has taken a back seat since the new government took power. It is unclear if he retains any influence over the peace process.
Musharraf has previously voiced ideas for resolving the Kashmir dispute _ suggesting that there could be some form of joint administration of the region _ but India has reacted cautiously. A cease-fire line currently serves as a de facto border.
Qureshi said Pakistan stood by its long-standing position that the dispute must be resolved in line with U.N. resolutions that call for a referendum for Kashmiris on whether they want to be part of Pakistan or India _ a position opposed by India _ but he added that Pakistan was "open to ideas."
"We don't have our minds shut," he said.
Pakistan-based militant groups have been fighting Indian security forces in Kashmir for nearly two decades _ a source of bitterness for India. However, a cease-fire between the two government's armies at the militarized border has held since late 2003.
Both ministers said their countries had no intention of pursuing an arms race.
They acknowledged the need to devote more attention to fighting poverty, but gave no indication they would end periodic tests of ballistic missiles or curb high defense spending.
