India, Pakistan to set up anti-terror mechanism

New Delhi, Nov 15: India and Pakistan today agreed to set up a three-member anti-terror mechanism at the Additional Secretary level and sign an agreement for reducing the risk of nuclear weapons accidents as part of the ongoing peace process to normalise relations between the two countries.

In a 15-point, three-page joint statement issued at the end of the two-day talks between Foreign Secretaries Shiv Shankar Menon and Riaz Mohammad Khan, the two sides also agreed to hold a meeting of experts on December 22-23 to decide on the coordinates for a joint survey of Sir Creek and adjoining areas without prejudice to each other's position.

The joint survey ''shall be completed by February 2007,'' the statement said. The two countries would also conduct discussions on the Maritime Boundary on December 22 and 23. The two Foreign Secretaries also ''exchanged views on Siachen.'' The Foreign Secretaries agreed to meet again in February 2007 in Islamabad to launch the next round of the composite dialogue.

Briefing reporters on the ''businesslike'' discussions held in a ''cordial'' atmosphere, Mr Riaz Mohammad Khan said India did not provide at the talks ''evidence or information'' about the involvement of Pakistan's ISI in the July 11 Mumbai blasts.

He said India had, however, given ''some material'' which on a cursory look appeared to be relating to ''other incidents'' and linkages between banned groups in the two countries, Mr Khan said.

''There is nothing about the Bombay blasts'' in the material which would be examined by the authorities concerned in Pakistan, he said.

Mr Khan said the ''core'' issue of Kashmir was discussed in detail at the talks. ''Since the start of the peace process three years ago, never before has there been such a focussed discussion on Kashmir.'' If the two countries made use of the improved relations between them and the conducive international atmosphere and showed ''flexibility'' to find ''out of the box'' solution as suggested by Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf, the region would witness a total transformation, he said.

On Siachen, Mr Khan said ''if the desire is indication of positions as they are today, then surely it can be accommodated. But if the intention is endorsement of a claim, it would be an unfair expectation.'' The issue was ''resolvable'' and Siachen could be transformed into a mountain of peace which could be monitored jointly, he said.

Acknowledging that there were ''apprehensions and fears on either side,'' he said these were like shadows which could ''shrink or become formidable'' depending upon from where there was light.

Elaborating on Kashmir, he said the issue was not something which could be resolved in one day. ''In this spirit, we had discussions.

But there are many aspects to the Kashmir issue. One of the aspects is confidence building measures. We focussed on this'' and discussed the smooth implementation of CBMs, including introduction of more bus services and other projects.

According to the joint statement, the two sides agreed to set up a three-member anti-terror mechanism to be headed by Additional Secretary (International Organisations) from the Ministry of External Affairs of India and the Additional Secretary (UN and EC) from Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The mechanism's ''mandate would be to consider counter terrorism measures, including through the regular and timely sharing of information.'' Replying to a question, Mr Khan said that under the mechanism Pakistan would also, if necessary, provide information to India about possible involvement of India-based terror groups in violent incidents in his country such as the recent bomb blasts in Baluchistan.

Replying to a question on the Mumbai blasts, the Pakistani Foreign Secretary said it was unfortunate that India was involved in ''finger-pointing,'' blaming Pakistan within 15 minutes of the incident. None of the countries in the region had such an investigative mechanism which could identify the perpetrators within minutes, he said.

He refused to hazard a guess whether Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri would have talks with External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee during his visit later this month to attend the marriage of Panchayati Raj Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar's daughter.

Exact dates for the visit of Mr Mukherjee's visit to Pakistan had not yet been finalised. It could take place either next month or in January, he said. The visit would pertain to holding of the next SAARC summit in New Delhi, but there would be discussions on bilateral issues and the composite dialogue.

Asked about the possible visit of Dr Singh to Pakistan, he said Islamabad's invitation to the Prime Minister was renewed at Havana in September when Gen Musharraf held talks with the Indian leader.

According to the joint statement, the agreement on ''Reducing the Risk from Accidents relating to Nuclear Weapons'' was initialed by the two sides. They agreed on its early signing. They expressed satisfaction over the implementation of the ''Agreement on Pre-Notification of the Flight Testing of Ballistic Missiles.'' The two countries welcomed the inauguration on November 14 of the hotline between the Pakistan Maritime Agency and the Indian Coast Guard.

On humanitarian grounds, all fishermen and prisoners of the other country, whose national status stands confirmed and who have completed their sentences, would be released by December 25.

The two sides reviewed the progress made towards the revision of the 1982 Protocol on Consular Access and expressed the hope that the Protocol would result in expeditious disposal of consular issues related to prisoners and fishermen of both sides. They also agreed to examine the release of prisoners of the other country who are detained on minor charges.

UNI

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