India, Pakistan foreign secys conclude talks, agree on six accords

Islamabad, Mar 14 (UNI) The foreign secretaries of India and Pakistan today concluded their two-day talks with an understanding to conclude six agreements to cooperate in the area of peace and security.

While no formal accord was signed by foreign secretary Shiv Shankar Menon and his Pakistani counterpart Riaz Muhammad Khan , it was agreed to expedite negotiations to conclude five accords in the area of peace and security and two agreements dealing with bilateral visa regime and consular access.

''There is clear political will on both sides to make all round progress in the composite dialogue to take the process towards its goal of establishing normal, good neighbourly and friendly relations between the two countries,'' Mr Menon told a joint press conference.

He said the two sides noted the significant improvement brought about by the dialogue process in bilateral relation in the last three years especially in promoting people-to-people contacts.

''We agreed that our relations today are qualitatively better than three years ago and that the dialogue process has a proven record of success,'' Mr Menon said.

Giving details of the agreements, which the two sides decided to conclude in the area of peace and security, Mr Khan said Islamabad and New Delhi would expedite negotiation to conclude an agreement on prevention of incidents at Sea.

They will fully observe the ceasefire along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir and conclude and sign an agreement on modalities for the conduct of quarterly flag meetings at the sectors to be agreed upon.

''It was also decided to conclude and sign a framework agreement on speedy return of inadvertent LoC crossers,'' Mr Khan said, adding an agreement on not developing new posts and defence works along the LoC will also be finalized.

The two countries will also propose drafts for new border control guidelines.

He said agreements on bilateral visa regime and consular access would be signed during the fourth round of talks while, the protocol on visits to religious places in the two countries is to be revised.

However, Mr Khan did not announce any timeframe for signing agreements in the area of peace and security.

On Jammu and Kashmir, he said the two sides have decided to ensure implementation of already agreed confidence building measures on Kashmir, adding New Delhi and Islamabad will work together for getting the proposed cross-LoC truck service started.

''We will also ensure operationalisation/rationalisation of five crossing points at the LoC,'' he added to an assurance by Mr Menon that India also sought solution to all outstanding problems, including the Jammu and Kashmir issue.

On Siachen, it was decided that Indian and Pakistani defence secretaries, assisted by their respective Directors General Military Operations would meet at the earliest.

Mr Menon said India had already proposed a set of dates to Pakistan for holding meeting of defence secretaries on Siachen.

UNI