Indian, Pakistani officials fail to make headway on Sir Creek

Islamabad, May 18 (UNI) The two-day talks between Indian and Pakistani officials on Sir Creek concluded here today without making any headway.

Major Gen M Gopal Rao, Surveyor General of India and Pakistan's Additional Defence Secretary Rear Admiral Tanveer Faiz led their respective delegations at the talks.

Officials, however, decided to continue discussions to find amicable settlement of the issue, said a statement issued after the talks, which were a part of the ongoing composite dialogue process.

"Talks were held in cordial atmopshere and the two sides expressed satisfaction of successful completion of the joint survey and ajoining area in Sir Creek", which was conducted in January, said the statement.

Delimitation of maritime boundary as well as the delineation of the boundary in Sir Creek in the light of the results of the joint survey also came under discussion.

Officials also exchanged maps/charts showing their respective positions on delineation of boundary in Sir Creek and demilitation of maritime boundary.

Pakistani and Indian defence officials and hydrographers had agreed to hold the second joint survey of horizontal pillars in the Sir Creek to identify and demarcate the boundary between the coastal state of Gujarat and Pakistan's southern Sindh province during their talks in Rawalpindi in December last year.

The first survey was conducted in January 1995.

UNI