US envoy arrives to help thaw India-Pakistan ties

The US Deputy Secretary of State, Richard Armitage, arrived in Delhi yesterday as India and Pakistan took tentative steps towards reconciliation. But despite overtures between the two countries, Pakistani officials and analysts are warning against unrealistic expectations.

In the latest peace moves, the two nuclear rivals agreed to exchange ambassadors and restore cross-border flights. Pakistan also offered to restore rail and road links, sporting ties and offered trade concessions. But India said Pakistan would have to clamp down on Kashmiri militants before even the steps announced so far could be realised.

A senior Pakistani official said: "We are not talking about a solution today. But ... we are maintaining a positive attitude."

In response to domestic critics, leaders of India and Pakistan insist the diplomatic thaw has not been choreographed by Washington. Analysts say the steps so far roughly return the countries to their position before the attack on India's parliament in 2001. The tension led to 1 million troops being deployed on the border last year.