Pakistan and India Tuesday inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to check smuggling of narcotics and fake currency between the two countries. The two sides also decided to formulate a joint mechanism to share intelligence information at different crossing points at the border.
The MoU was signed on the first day of 5th round of the secretary level "Composite Dialogue" held here and the final round would be held on Wednesday (today), where a joint statement would also be issued. A 10-member Indian delegation is led by Indian Home Secretary, Madhukar Gupta, whereas, Interior Secretary Syed Kamal Shah headed the Pakistani side during the dialogue.
The agenda of the talks includes anti-terrorism and anti-narcotics measures, the exchange of civilian prisoners and co-operation between FIA and CBI and liberalisation of visa issue, which is certainly a part of confidence-building measures. Sources privy to the meeting told Business Recorder that the two countries have agreed to evolve a new joint mechanism to exchange information at borders in a bid to control smuggling of counterfeit currency and narcotics.
The two sides also agreed at the bilateral meeting to start negotiations between Pakistani intelligence agency, Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and Central Bureau of Intelligence (CBI) of India for checking across the border smuggling and other criminal activities.
The talks also sought to intensify efforts on the part of both the countries to discuss issues pertaining to terrorism, counterfeit currency, drug trafficking and exchange of prisoners and visa regime. The two sides also discussed co-operation in efforts to fight terrorism as part of a wide-ranging dialogue aimed at resolving outstanding disputes between the two countries, sources added.
Sources further revealed that the two sides would shortly meet to decide pros and cons of the new mechanism in New Delhi. The last Home Secretary level talks between the two countries were held in July last year in New Delhi. These talks are being held in the backdrop of recently initiated cross-LoC trade which is a big step towards bringing people closer.