MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI PRANAB MUKHERJEE)
(a)&(b) The Foreign Secretaries met in Islamabad on March 13-14, 2007 to initiate the fourth
round of the Composite Dialogue and to review the third round. Other talks held within the
framework of the Composite Dialogue during the last six months include:
(i) The Defence
Secretary level talks on Siachen on April 6-7, 2007 in Rawalpindi,
(ii) Sir Creek talks on
May 17-18, 2007 in Rawalpindi,
(iii) Secretary (Culture) talks on June 28-29, 2007 in
Islamabad,
(iv) The Home Secretary-level talks on July 3-4, 2007 in New Delhi,
(v) The
Commerce Secretary talks on July 31-Aug 2, 2007 in New Delhi,
(vi) The Secretary Water
Resources-level talks on Tulbul Navigation Project on August 30-31, 2007 in New Delhi.
The Foreign Secretaries discussed Peace & Security, including CBMs and Jammu & Kashmir. On
CBMs the two sides agreed:
(i) to expedite negotiations to conclude an Agreement on Prevention
of Incidents at Sea,
(ii) to fully observe the ceasefire on the IB, LOC and AGPL,
(iii) to
conclude and sign an Agreement on Modalities for the Conduct of Quarterly Flag meetings at
Sectors to be agreed upon,
(iv) conclude and sign a Framework Agreement on Speedy Return of
Inadvertent Line Crossers,
(v) to conclude an agreement on No Development of New Posts and
Defence Works along the LOC and
(vi) to propose drafts for new border control guidelines
along the International Border. On the issue of Jammu and Kashmir, the two sides agreed
(i)
to ensure implementation of the already agreed Jammu and Kashmir related CBMs,
(ii) to ensure
operationalisation of Truck service,
(iii) to ensure operationalisation/rationalisation of
the five crossing points. To enhance People-to-People Contacts both sides agreed to conclude
(i) Bilateral Visa Agreement, (ii) Agreement on Consular Access, (iii) to revise the Protocol
on Visits to Religious Places and(iv) that the Judicial Committee on Prisoners would be
composed of four judges from each side to ensure humane treatment and expeditious release
of prisoners on both sides. On Nuclear CBMs,the two sides decided to hold discussions on
security doctrines.
(c)&(d) An Agreement on Reducing the Risk from Accidents Relating to Nuclear Weapons was
signed on February 21, 2007 in New Delhi.
(e)&(f) Yes. Details as at Paragraph (b) above.
(g) All issues of mutual concern are being discussed bilaterally between India and Pakistan.
(h) Does not arise.
