India, Pakistan foreign ministers expected to meet on July 27

The foreign ministers of India and Pakistan are expected to meet in New Delhi on July 27 to review progress in the bilateral peace process that was revived earlier this year, according to a media report today.

Pakistan will have to appoint a full-fledged foreign minister before expected meeting and minister of state for foreign affairs Hina Rabbani Khar is among the front-runners for the slot, The News daily quoted its sources as saying.

Before the meeting of the foreign ministers, two working groups will meet by the middle of this month to discuss proposals on confidence-building measures, including the expansion of cross-Line of control movement and trade and nuclear CBMs, the report said.

The Pakistani delegation for talks on cross-LoC CBMs will be led by director general (South Asia) Zehra H Akbari while director general (Disarmament Division) Irfan Yusuf Shami will head the team for talks on nuclear CBMs.

The two foreign secretaries, who held talks in Islamabad during June 23-24, will meet again in New Delhi ahead of the ministerial meeting.

Pakistan's foreign secretary Salman Bashir will travel to New Delhi a day ahead of the minister, the report said.

"Some tangible outcome could be expected" from the talks of the foreign ministers as "the atmosphere between the two countries has reportedly turned conducive", the daily quoted diplomatic sources as saying.

The foreign ministers will meet after the completion of talks on eight separate issues, including the Kashmir dispute, trade and commerce and counter-terrorism.