'Pakistan sees positive signals from India over Kashmir'

Khursheed Kasuri said that India has moved beyond its old stand and is more willing to engage Islamabad in negotiations.

"Unless someone is politically blind, a change can be seen now," Kasuri said in an interview with Pakistan's Geo television on Saturday.

"They were not ready for talks. Now negotiations are going on. Serious negotiations are going on," he said.

Kasuri added that a final agreement is not close, but said that as long as India and Pakistan engage in negotiations "there will be a ray of hope" that the neighbours will settle their difference, including over Kashmir.

Pakistan and India have held a series of meetings in recent months aimed at normalising relations, and top Foreign Ministry officials from the two countries are scheduled to hold talks on December 27-28 in Islamabad over Kashmir peace and security.

The thaw in relations has seen the two nations reopen rail, road and air transportation links. They have made it easier for people from both sides to travel to either country.

Kasuri said an increase in people-to-people contacts will help lead to a solution to the hot-button issues such as Kashmir.