Pakistan and India have agreed to share active maritime relationship, to provide freedom of navigation to lift third country's cargo from each other's ports.
In this regard, the two countries agreed to abolish 'Paras 3 and 5 of the 30-year old Shipping Protocol of 1975', which were restricting the lifting of cargo between the two countries by third country vessels as also lifting of third country cargo by Indian and Pakistani flag vessels from each other's ports.
The amendment in the Shipping Protocol would pave the way for both countries to enter into a bilateral 'Maritime Shipping Agreement' which would also help in softening restrictions and liberalising the trade through sea.
The Indian delegation also handed over a draft of 'Maritime Shipping Agreement' for consideration by the Pakistani counterparts.
Both sides agreed to continue discussions for early finalisation of a bilateral Maritime Shipping Agreement. This was decided on December 10 with the Indian delegation and Pakistan officials here on Saturday.
The difficulties being faced by seafarers of both countries were addressed and India agreed to allow Pakistani seafarers to join its vessels from any Indian port.
The revised 'Shipping Protocol' would be signed after completion of necessary formalities by the respective governments. Both countries shall co-operate with each other to develop a mutually beneficial relationship in the field of merchant shipping and related maritime activities.
Susheel Kumar, Joint Secretary (Shipping) Ministry of Shipping, who headed the five-member Indian delegation, briefing the newsmen after meeting said: "The two sides held detailed discussions aimed at reviewing the Shipping Protocol of 1975 with a view to improving the provisions of the Protocol.
"After extensive deliberations, the two sides agreed on a revised the 'Shipping Protocol' to meet the present and future demands of international maritime transport which is expected to enhance tonnage under both the flags and also result in competitive shipping rates," he added.
Captain Anwar Shah, Director General, Ports and Shipping, said that during the talks the difficulties being faced by seafarers of both countries were addressed.
"We pointed out difficulties to the Indian counterpart vis-à-vis Pakistani seafarers for joining their vessels from Indian ports that has been accepted by the Indian delegation," he said.
He said the revised Shipping Protocol would be signed after completion of necessary formalities by respective governments. "The bottom line of the objective has been achieved," he said, adding that both countries had agreed to allow third country cargo from ports of the two countries.
Shah said the contentious clauses 3 and 5 of Shipping Protocol had no longer relevance with the modern-day demands. "The contentious clauses were impediments for modern-day demand under WTO regime, which we have agreed to delete," he said.
Moreover, both countries shall encourage and facilitate the development of maritime relationship between their shipping organisations and enterprises as well as cooperate closely in the task of enhancing the steady growth of maritime traffic.
Both countries would encourage and facilitate the exchange of information necessary for accelerating the flow of commercial goods at sea and ports and strengthening of the co-operation between merchant fleets.
Exchange of information relating to navigation and crossing through the straits and territorial waters with regard to the activities resulting from maritime co-operation would be shared.
Both countries would encourage private sector to facilitate establishment of joint ventures in the field of maritime transportation, ship repairs, construction or building and offshore constructions.
The Pakistani delegation was led by S. N. Hasan Zaidi, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Ports and Shipping, Government of Pakistan, and the Indian delegation was led by Susheel Kumar, Joint Secretary (Shipping), Ministry of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways, Government of India, Naresh Salecha, Senior Deputy (Director General) Department of Shipping, Mrs Pramita Tripathi, Under Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs, Sibi George, First Secretary Embassy of India at Islamabad, Anil Devli, Indian Ship Owner Association and Danesh Kumar, Deputy Secretary.