Pak to inform India on Mumbai attacks' probe at key talks

"We have made a lot of progress that we would be talking about with our Indian counterparts. That is very satisfying progress that we will be conveying to them," the official, who did not want to be identified, said during a briefing.

The official did not give details about the progress or any new information uncovered by Pakistani investigators.

Authorities have charged seven suspects, including Lashkar-e-Taiba commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, with involvement in the Mumbai incident but their trial by an anti-terrorism court has been hit by delays due to technical reasons.

He said talks would also be held on Pakistan’s request to send a judicial commission to India to interview key persons linked to the Mumbai attacks.

The official – who briefed the Diplomatic Correspondents Association of Pakistan ahead of the meeting of the Home and Interior Secretaries in New Delhi during March 28-29 – said "all stakeholders" in the Pakistani establishment had been taken on board for the crucial parleys.

Pakistan is "greatly delighted and satisfied" that the peace process with India has been resumed after being stalled for over two years, the official said.

"This in itself is a very positive development. Both India and Pakistan getting back to talk is a spirit that we wish to continue with," he said.

Asked about India’s concerns regarding Pakistan-based groups like the LeT and Jamaat-ud-Dawah, the official said: "We would like to know their concerns and to meet their concerns. We have already looked into their apprehensions."

At the same time, the official made it clear that Pakistan would not shy away from raising its concerns, including allegations that India was fomenting unrest in Balochistan province and the tribal areas.

"Without going into specifics, we have agreed through over diplomatic exchanges that all issues would be discussed in on open manner. That is going to be the basis of our engagement," the official said.

Pakistan would like to point out "all actors who have been involved in acts of terrorism" so that they could be "eliminated from the spectrum of our relations", the official added.

The official identified the four key topics for the meeting in New Delhi next week as terrorism-related issues, including the Mumbai attacks and the bombing of the Samjhauta Express train, humanitarian issues involving civilian and fishermen prisoners, visa issues and counter-narcotics measures.

On the issue of visas, the official said there would be detailed discussions on how to ease the visa policy.

The meeting of the Home and Interior Secretaries will mark the formal resumption of what the two countries are describing as the "full spectrum of dialogue".