Thrissur, India

Church leaders in India and Pakistan have welcomed the thawing of relations between their countries following meetings of the two rival neighbours at a summit of South Asian countries, held in Islamabad last month.

"The Churches in India consider the agreement to start dialogue between India and Pakistan as a new chapter of peace-building in South Asia," said the National Council of Churches in India, a grouping of 29 Orthodox and Protestant churches.

Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf and Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee met during a South Asian summit for regional co-operation. They issued a joint statement announcing a timetable for bilateral talks on issues such as Kashmir, a region bordering both countries that has dogged their relations for decades.

The year began with restored air links between India and Pakistan. Trade treaties were signed during the seven-nation summit.