Talking terms

After eleven years of trying to solve the Kashmir problem militarily, India is exploring the possibility of a politically negotiated settlement. For t he first time since the 1998 nuclear tests, the military coup in Islamabad, and the Kargil war of May 1999, the Indian and Pakistani heads of governme nt are to meet. Yet, far from optimism over the timing and possible outcome of this month's talks, the mood in the sub-continent is laced with cynicis m.