India-Pak to take effective steps to combat terror

New Delhi, July 4: Responding to New Delhi's concern overterrorism and the activities of Indian fugitives sheltered in theneighbouring country, India and Pakistan have agreed to take effectivemeasures to combat the menace of terrorism.

In a joint statement signed after the fourth round of HomeSecretary Level talks between India and Pakistan on Terrorism and DrugTrafficking, the two countries strongly condemned all acts of terrorismand underlined the imperative need for effective and sustained measuresagainst terrorist activities and criminals in either country.

The talks, which were held in a candid and cordial atmosphere,also agreed to enhance the cooperation between CBI and FIA in the areasof human trafficking, illegal immigration and counterfeit currency. Thenodal points in both the agencies will meet periodically to facilitateearly action on Interpol related cases.

The Indian delegation represented by Home Secretary Madhukar Guptaand Pakistani side headed by Secretary in the Interior Ministry SyedKamal Shah, agreed that all fishermen will be released by August 14-15,2007. It was also agreed that fishing boats in each other's custodywill also be released.

Moreover, efforts will be made by both the sides to reconcile thenumber and identities of prisoners in each other's jails. All thoseprisoners who have completed their sentences will also be released byboth sides by August 14-15. They also agreed that immediate steps willbe taken by either side to reconcile their numbers to facilitate theirearly release on completion of necessary formalities.

The two countries also discussed a protocol on Consular Access indetail and finalised it. Detailed discussions took place on the draftVisa Agreement. Considerable progress was made in finalising some ofthe provisions.

After detailed discussions, it was agreed that an MoU on NarcoticsControl between the two agencies could be signed in the near future.

The sources said that frank and candid discussions were held in aconstructive and friendly atmosphere as part of the continuingComposite Dialogue process between the two countries. It was agreed tocontinue the discussions within the framework of the CompositeDialogue. The two sides agreed that the recently formed Committee onPrisoners, comprising eminent retired judges from the two countries, isa useful instrument to facilitate release and repatriation of prisonerswho have served their prison sentences. It was agreed that action wouldbe initiated to hold two meetings, one in India and the other inPakistan, within a period of three months by which time the necessaryreconciliation of numbers of prisoners on both sides would have beencompleted.

Both sides assessed as positive the existing cooperation andinformation sharing between the Narcotics Control Bureau of India andthe Anti Narcotics Force of Pakistan and agreed that both Agencieswould enhance mutual cooperation in terms of effective and sustainedsteps to control drugs trafficking. They also agreed that a Memorandumof Understanding (MoU) between the two drug control agencies will besigned at the earliest possible.

UNI

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