The top diplomats of Pakistan and India met in Islamabad on Thursday and expressed their joint commitment to combat militant extremism. They hinted at the possibility of more extensive discussions in the future. This was the second meeting in four months between Foreign Secretaries Salman Bashir and Nirupama Rao of Pakistan and India, respectively. Their previous meeting in New Delhi was the first official talks since the 2008 Mumbai attacks, but those talks were deemed unproductive. However, both sides described the recent talks as being marked by cordiality, sincerity, and earnestness, and suggested that they may lead to a more comprehensive dialogue, indicating a potential thaw in relations. Rao emphasized the need for cooperation to address the threat of terrorism and prevent it from hindering the improvement of relations between the two countries. The issue of security is a top concern for India when it comes to Pakistan, as New Delhi accuses Islamabad of supporting militant groups in an effort to gain control of Kashmir and counter Indian influence in Afghanistan. India has made it clear that addressing militant groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), held responsible for the Mumbai attack that claimed 166 lives, is a prerequisite for resuming talks on various disputes. Pakistan, however, has been hesitant to take action and has not made any significant moves against LeT's leader, Hafiz Saeed, who remains at large. There are indications that India may be considering a more lenient stance on future talks. She mentioned that there was a significant amount of introspection happening, with the focus being on the future rather than the past. Pakistan was pleased with India's seemingly more positive approach. Bashir expressed optimism and confidence about the potential for a positive outcome at the ministerial level and the overall relationship between the two countries. Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani of Pakistan and Prime Minister Monmohan Singh of India met in Bhutan in April during a regional summit, aiming to resume discussions between the two nuclear-armed adversaries. The Mumbai attack caused a strain in relations between the two countries, which has also impacted efforts to bring peace to Afghanistan. Both prime ministers have instructed their foreign ministers and secretaries to meet quickly in order to rebuild trust and continue the dialogue. Pakistani Foreign Minister Qureshi noted that the atmosphere of the talks has improved and both sides are now meeting more frequently than before, which was unexpected. The recent meeting was a positive move and had the right attitude. However, there are concerns that domestic issues may hinder progress. There is a fear that if there is another militant attack in India, the government may be pressured to end discussions. India's Intelligence Bureau issued a warning about a possible attack, with reports suggesting it could be aimed at disrupting talks. Onkar Kedia, a spokesperson for the Home Ministry, confirmed to Reuters over the phone that the Intelligence Bureau has issued a terror alert.