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Pakistan-India foreign secretary-level talks conclude
BHURBAN: The second round of two days talk under the resumed bilateral dialogue between India and Pakistan Home/Interior Secretary, which started on Thursday in Islamabad, concluded here Friday.Interior Secretary K M Siddiq Akbar led the Pakistan delegation, while Shri Raj Kumar Singh, Home Secretary of India, led the Indian Delegation.
The meeting was held in a cordial and friendly atmosphere and a joint statement was issued after the conclusion of talks.
According to the joint statement both sides exchanged views on the decisions taken in the last round of Home/Interior Secretary Talks held in New Delhi in March 2011.
Both sides agreed that terrorism poses a continuing threat to peace and security and full normalization of bilateral relations. They reiterated the firm and undiluted commitment of the two countries to fight and eliminate this scourge in all its forms and manifestations and bring those responsible for such crimes to justice.
The Pakistan side provided an update on the ongoing trial and investigation in Pakistan on the Mumbai Terror Attacks. Both sides discussed Judicial Commission's visit to India from March 14-21, 2012.
Pakistan side noted that it had agreed in principle to receive a Judicial Commission from India. In this regard, modalities, mandate and composition of the Commission will be worked out through diplomatic channels.
Pakistan side reiterated its commitment to bring all the perpetrators of the Mumbai terror attacks to justice expeditiously in accordance with due process of law.
The Home and the Interior Secretaries agreed to enhance cooperation between the NIA of India and the FIA of Pakistan on issues of mutual concern, including Mumbai terror attacks investigation.
India provided information on the on-going Samjhauta Express blast case investigation. It was mentioned by the Indian side that investigation in this case is still ongoing and updated information will be shared with the Pakistan authorities concerned when the investigation is completed.
The Indian side agreed to forward updated information on the investigation through diplomatic channel.
The Pakistan side noted the technical parameters, suggested by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Government of India for establishing a hotline between the Home Secretary of India and the Interior Secretary of Pakistan.
Pakistan side would examine the technical parameters and revert.
Both sides welcomed the signing of the `MoU on Drug Demand Reduction and Prevention of Illicit Trafficking in Narcotics Drugs/Psychotropic Substances and Precursor Chemicals and related matters', during the Eighth Director General level talks between Narcotics Control Bureau of India and Anti Narcotics Force of Pakistan on Drugs Trafficking in September 2011.
They expressed the hope that the MoU will help enhance mutual cooperation between India and Pakistan through effective and sustained steps to control the growing menace of drug trafficking. In this context, they also welcomed the outcome of the DG level talks, held at Rawalpindi on September 12-13, 2011, and noted the decision to hold DG level talks on Drugs Trafficking annually.
It was decided that CBI and FIA will schedule a meeting at an early date to work out the technical details of moving forward on issues of human trafficking, counterfeit currency, cyber crimes and Red Notices (RNs).
Both sides agreed to expeditiously execute all pending RNs. Pakistan side agreed to examine issues pertaining to Letters Rogatory.
Both sides welcomed the finalization of the Visa Agreement and agreed to sign it at an early date. The Pakistan side informed that some internal approvals were under process and the Agreement will be signed once they are in place.
Both sides welcomed the release of prisoners and fishermen, including those suffering from ailments, since the last round of Home/ Interior Secretary Talks.
They noted the need to fully implement the understanding reached during the previous Home/ Interior Secretary Talks in March 2011 so that the fishermen and the civilian prisoners who have completed their sentence, and whose nationality status has been confirmed by the respective Governments and whose travel documents have been received, are released without delay.
It was also agreed that those fishermen who have completed their sentences will be released by both sides within three months along with their boats, except where the boats have been lost, damaged or confiscated by the courts.
It was decided that those prisoners, whose nationality status could not be confirmed either due to lack of information or due to the physical disabilities of the prisoner concerned, would be transferred to charitable institutions in India and Pakistan pending confirmation of their nationality status.
Both sides commended the work done by the Judicial Committee on Prisoners and agreed that their work should continue. They also agreed on the need for implementing the 2008 Consular Agreement in letter
and spirit.
The Secretaries also exchanged views on the issue of inadvertent crossing of fishermen from both sides. The Pakistan side noted the invitation extended by the Indian Coast Guards for a meeting with
the Pakistan Maritime Agency in June 2012 in New Delhi.
In order to strengthen mutual cooperation in criminal matters, the two sides agreed in principle to initiate negotiations on a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT). In this regard, it was agreed that Pakistan side would examine the draft of the MLAT handed over by the Indian side and revert with comments.
The Home Secretary of India thanked the Interior Secretary of Pakistan for the warm hospitality extended to the Indian delegation and the arrangements made for the visit. He invited the Interior Secretary of Pakistan to visit India for the next Home / Interior Secretary level Talks.
The invitation was accepted. (PPI)
Courtesy www.geo.tv