The top diplomats of Pakistan and India met in Islamabad on Thursday and discussed their joint resolve against militant extremism. They hinted at the possibility of more comprehensive 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 last meeting in New Delhi was seen as achieving little progress following the 2008 Mumbai attacks. However, both sides described their recent talks as cordial, sincere, and earnest, paving the way for a more comprehensive dialogue and signaling a potential thaw in relations. Rao emphasized the importance of working together to combat terrorism and prevent it from affecting 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 believes Islamabad is backing militant groups to gain control of Kashmir and counter Indian influence in Afghanistan. India has made it clear that addressing militant groups like LeT, responsible for the Mumbai attack, is a prerequisite for resuming talks on various disputes. Despite India's stance, Pakistan has been hesitant to take action against LeT's leader, Hafiz Saeed. There are indications that India may be more open to dialogue in the future, as hinted by Rao. "There was a significant amount of introspection," she commented. "The focus is now on what lies ahead, rather than dwelling on the past." Pakistan was pleased with India's apparent shift in attitude. "Following this meeting, I am feeling more hopeful and positive about a positive result at the ministerial level and the potential for a strong relationship between the two countries," Bashir stated. Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani of Pakistan and Prime Minister Monmohan Singh of India came together in Bhutan in April during a regional summit, aiming to kickstart discussions between the two nations who possess nuclear weapons. The Mumbai attack caused a strain in relations and hindered efforts to bring peace to Afghanistan. The two prime ministers have instructed their foreign ministers and secretaries to meet promptly to rebuild trust and continue the dialogue. Pakistani Foreign Minister Qureshi noted a positive shift in the climate of talks and mentioned that both sides were surprised by the progress in the dialogue. The recent meeting was a positive move and reflected a positive attitude. However, concerns remain that internal issues may prevent the necessary compromises for progress. There is a fear that a potential militant attack in India could disrupt the dialogue and put pressure on the government to halt talks. India's Intelligence Bureau issued a warning about a potential attack, with local media reports suggesting it was intended to derail negotiations. Onkar Kedia, a spokesperson for the Home Ministry, confirmed to Reuters via telephone that a terror alert has been issued by the Intelligence Bureau.