The top diplomats of Pakistan and India met in Islamabad on Thursday and indicated a united front against militant extremism, suggesting that further discussions may take place. This was the second meeting in four months between Pakistan's Salman Bashir and India's Nirupama Rao, following talks in New Delhi earlier this year. While the previous discussions were not deemed very successful, both sides described the recent meeting as cordial and sincere, paving the way for more extensive dialogue and hinting at a potential improvement in relations. Rao emphasized the need for cooperation in combating terrorism and preventing any disruptions in the progress of bilateral relations. The security situation between India and Pakistan is a major concern for India, as they accuse Pakistan of supporting militant groups to gain control over Kashmir and counter Indian influence in Afghanistan. India has made it clear that addressing militant groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba is a prerequisite for restarting talks on various disputes. Pakistan, however, has been hesitant to take action against Lashkar-e-Taiba's founder, Hafiz Saeed. There are hints that India may be willing to soften its stance on future talks. She mentioned that there was a significant amount of introspection happening. She also stated that they are focusing on the future rather than dwelling on the past. Pakistan was pleased with India's apparent change in attitude. Bashir expressed optimism and confidence about the outcome of the ministerial meetings and the future of the two countries' relationship. Prime Ministers Yusuf Raza Gilani and Monmohan Singh met in Bhutan in April at a regional summit in an effort to reinitiate talks between the two nuclear-armed nations. The Mumbai attack caused a significant strain in relations, hindering U.S.-led peace efforts in Afghanistan. Both prime ministers have instructed their foreign ministers and secretaries to meet soon to rebuild trust and continue the dialogue. Pakistani Foreign Minister Qureshi noted a positive shift in the talks and stated that officials from both sides will be meeting more frequently. This unexpected positive development in the dialogue was welcomed by both sides. The recent meeting was a positive move in the correct direction and was approached with the right attitude. However, there are concerns that strong internal issues may prevent both sides from making necessary compromises for progress. One potential obstacle to improving relations is the threat of another significant militant attack in India, which could lead to political pressure forcing the government to halt negotiations once more. India's Intelligence Bureau issued a warning about a possible militant attack on Thursday, with reports suggesting that the attack was intended to disrupt the ongoing talks. Onkar Kedia, a spokesperson for the Home Ministry, confirmed to Reuters over the phone that the Intelligence Bureau has issued a terror alert.