Accord on Sir Creek likely:Reports

Islamabad, Nov 29 (UNI) India and Pakistan have narrowed down their differences over Sir Creek and an agreement is on the cards, media reports said here today.

''Islamabad and New Delhi have narrowed down their differences on Sir Creek almost to naught during the formal and informal talks in the last couple of months and a sketch of agreement has been drawn,'' The Nation quoted a senior official as saying.

Sir Creek is one of the eight major issues including Kashmir, peace and security, Siachen and Wullar Barrage on the agenda of Indo-Pak peace process initiated in February 2004.

The agreement may be announced during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's likely visit to Islamabad in February next year, the official said.

Both the sides conducted the joint survey of Sir Creek last year to identify the boundary pillars installed in 1924 on the marshy strip that separates Indian state of Gujarat and Sindh province.

The determination of maritime boundaries after the final settlement of dispute on Sir Creek will help define the limits of the exclusive economic zones (EEZs), the official added.

The two neigbours will hold the expert-level talks in Islamabad on December 22-23 to chalk out a strategy for the final survey of boundary pillars before the finalisation of an accord on Sir Creek.

UNI XC YA DS1240