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| Pakistan, India agree to ensure implementation of Kashmir-related confidence-building measures | | | Islamabad
Pakistan and India on Wednesday agreed to ensure implementation of the already agreed Kashmir- related Confidence Building Measures (CBMs), operation of truck service and rationalization of the five crossing points.
Foreign secretaries of both countries met here on March 13-14 to discuss Kashmir issue, peace and security in the region and other issues. The two-day talks mark the launching of the fourth round of Pakistani-Indian composite dialogue process.
Talking to reporters at a joint press conference, Pakistani Foreign Secretary Riaz Muhammad Khan along with his Indian counterpart Shivshankar Menon said Wednesday that defense secretaries assisted by directors general of military operations of both countries will hold talks on Siachen issue, with dates to be confirmed.
Both sides agreed to fully observe the ceasefire on Line of Control in the disputed Kashmir region, and agreed to conclude and sign an agreement on modalities for the conduct of quarterly flag meetings at the sectors to be agreed upon, Riaz Muhammad Khan said.
He said the two sides agreed to expedite negotiations to conclude an agreement on prevention of incidents at sea.
The two sides also agreed to conclude and sign a framework agreement on speedy return of inadvertent line crossers, he added.
Both countries also have agreed to take steps for enhancing people to people contact and to conclude bilateral visa agreement, counselor access and revise the protocol on visits to religious places, according to the Pakistani foreign secretary.
Riaz Muhammad Khan said 2007 is a "critical" year and could be proved to be a "watershed" in moving forward towards amicable resolution of issues. "We have now moved from resolution management to resolution of problems."
Indian Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon said during the review of previous talks, both sides noted that significant improvement has been made on various fronts particularly on people to people contact and the process has been proved a success.
He said India has proposed to launch bus service between the Pakistani border town of Skardu and Kargil, in the Indian- controlled Kashmir, and Pakistan has agreed to look into the suggestion.
He said he has brought a list of passports of missing persons in Samjhota Express tragedy as 19 bodies are still unidentified. He said both India is working jointly with Pakistan to identify the passport holders and DNA could also be used for this purpose.
Answering another question, Menon said both sides are determined to resolve the problem of prisoners as it is a humanitarian issue and "we want to address it at the earliest."
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