Terrorism to be high on agenda of India-Pak FS-level talks

New Delhi, May 14 (UNI) Terrorism will be ''very high'' on the agenda of Foreign Secretary-level talks between India and Pakistan to be held in Islamabad on May 20.

''Terrorism will be very high on the agenda,''Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon said at a press conference here today.

The obsevation is significant in the backdrop of Jaipur terrorist bombings, the recent encounter in Samba sector of Jammu region and reports of increased infiltration from across the border in the recent past.

Mr Menon will meet his Pakistani counterpart Salman Bashir in Islamabad on May 20 to review the four rounds of the Composite Dialogue Process (CDP) held so far.

The meeting comes a day ahead of the talks between the Foreign Ministers of the two countries to kickstart the fifth round of the CDP.

Mr Menon said the two Foreign Secretaries were tasked to discuss Peace and Security and Jammu and Kashmir besides other issues under the CDP including Siachen and Sir Creek.

He said India always maintained that the end to cross-border terrorism was a pre-requisite to the peace process moving forward.

Asked about infiltration into Jammu and Kashmir, he said the government would deal with it bilaterally and on the ground.

About the Joint Anti-Terror Mechanism between India and Pakistan, Mr Menon said it was a forum to exchange information and details about terrorist incidents.

UNI SA/RB SKB HT1500