CCS approves framework for India-Pak talks, Pranab's China visit

New Delhi, May 20 (UNI) The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) has approved a brief on Siachen and Sir Creek issues set to be discussed with Pakistan officials here from May 23 and 26, respectively.

The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, discussed last night over almost three hours the two issues and finally approved the brief for the officials.

The meeting also approved Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee's forthcoming visit to China commencing May 24.

Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Home Minister Shivraj Patil, Finance Minister P Chidambaram, Army Chief General JJ Singh, National Security Advisor MK Narayanan, Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran, Home Secretary VK Duggal, Defence Secretary Shekhar Dutt and Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) Lt General Madan Gopal, among others, attended the meeting.

According to sources, Gen JJ Singh and External Affairs Ministry officials gave a presentation on the Siachen issue and discussed various possibilities. Both India and Pakistan were expected to exchange views in the forthcoming meeting and, the sources said, the CCS meeting approved the brief for the officials.

The two-day Defence Secretary-level talks on Siachen - from May 23- will be followed by parleys on Sir Creek on May 25 to 26.

Defence Secretary Shekhar Dutt will lead the Indian delegation at the talks on Siachen while his Pakistani counterpart Lt Gen (Retd) Tariq W Ghazi will head the Pakistani delegation.

At the talks on Sir Creek, Indian Surveyor General Maj Gen M Gopal Rao will head the Indian delegation while Additional Defence Secretary Admiral Ahsanul Haq Chaudhry will lead the Pakistani delegation.

These talks will be followed by two-day Home Secretary-level talks on terrorism and drug-trafficking from May 30. Later, Culture Secretaries of both countries will also meet here from June 1.

These talks are part of the Composite Dialogue Process between India and Pakistan. Regarded as institutional arrangements, the talks normally see each side putting forward their respective perceptions on issues.

UNI DG PK HT1158