Richard Beeston, Diplomatic Editor of The Times, looks at the possibility of "earthquake diplomacy" after the Kashmir disaster

India immediately offered aid and rescue assistance to Pakistan after Saturday's earthquake. Will it be accepted?

The Pakistanis took 48 hours to consider the offer, but there are now reports that they have accepted 25 tonnes of relief supplies.

What is the state of relations between the two at the moment?

Relations are certainly better than they have been, but the two sides remain extremely suspicious of one another. Even after the earthquake, seven suspected Islamic militants were killed by Indian troops as they crossed over the disputed border in Kashmir from the Pakistani side.

India and Pakistan have fought three wars, two of them over Kashmir. In the most recent flare-up, nearly four years ago, there were real fears that the build up of forces could lead to a new war, this time with both sides armed with nuclear weapons. Tensions have now eased and there is dialogue between Islamabad and Delhi.

What about the guerrillas in the Kashmir valley - have they been badly affected?

The whole of Pakistani Kashmir has been badly hit. It is believed that militant training camps, which India has repeatedly demanded be dismantled, have been destroyed by the tremor and many fighters killed and injured. The armed forces on both sides have also recorded casualties.

Is there any chance that this disaster could prove a turning point in relations?

Natural disasters often bring people together and after Greece helped Turkey following a deadly tremor a few years ago, the term "earthquake diplomacy" was coined. America helped Iran following the Bam earthquake, but little came of the rapprochement. On the other hand the Boxing Day tsunami did halt the conflict in Aceh and led to negotiations between the Jakarta and the rebels. In the case of India and Pakistan earthquake relief could certainly act as a catalyst, in the same way as cricket test tours and reopening air and land routes have in the past. Unfortunately, the benefits can be shortlived if there is no political follow-up. In the case of Kashmir both sides have stepped back from open confrontation but have not abandoned their claims on the territory. Until there is real movement on substantive issues the benefits of earthquake diplomacy could be shortlived.

Many other countries, including Israel, have offered help. Are there political sensitivities there?

Yes, until recently there were no formal contacts between Pakistan and Israel. But after the Israelis withdrew from Gaza the Pakistanis did agree to have a public meeting at ministerial level with the Israelis. Israel has now offered to send rescue teams and relief to stricken areas. It is not clear whether the offer will be accepted. But if it is it could go somewhere to break down the barries between the Islamic world and the Jewish state.

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