I have to say, maybe it’s just the cricket, but I haven’t felt this hopeful about things in a long time.

Talks went well according to radio Australia, “The two leaders agreed to boost road and rail links and revive a panel to promote trade, after watching the final match of a cricket series by their national teams.” This, even though, “play was briefly stopped when frustrated Indian spectators threw water bottles at the Pakistani players”

Also, the Calcutta Telegraph reports that Musharraf and Singh also spoke of starting, “railway service between Khokrapar in Rajasthan and Munabao in Sind” and that India initiated and Pakistan affirmed the importance in Kashmir of “greater people- to-people contact and turning the Line of Control into a soft border.”

I like how the Telegraph reporter enlivens the following section, I can almost imagine the politicians standing up and dancing…

Musharraf acknowledged the improvement in bilateral relations but, just as terrorism was sticking in Singh’s throat, the Pakistan President coughed out Kashmir. Confidence-building measures could continue in other areas, he said, adding that India and Pakistan must “seize the opportunity” to move closer towards resolving Kashmir.

The few words he spoke in public were the right words. Talks were going in the “right direction”, held in a “positive atmosphere” and had an “optimistic note” to them.

The “note” was so high that the Beatles’ I wanna hold your hand was played by the military band at Kalam’s luncheon party.

Here you can see a picture of the leaders holding/shaking hands.