Pakistan and India Wednesday agreed to eliminate terrorism by using all-out efforts and severe action will be taken against any element involved in terrorist activities. The two countries reached the agreement during the 5th round of Interior and Home Secretary level talks between Pakistan and India on terrorism and drugs trafficking, as a part of the Composite Dialogue held here from November 25 to 26.
The two countries condemned the terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and affirmed their resolve to cooperate with each other to combat the menace and assured that measures will be taken as directed by the leadership of the two countries at the meeting in New York on 24 September 2008.
They issued a joint statement at the conclusion of the dialogue, in which Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Syed Kamal Shah led Pakistan delegation, while the Indian delegation was headed by Madhukar Gupta, Home Secretary of India.
The meeting held in a cordial and friendly atmosphere, in which two countries discussed the issues related to terrorism and drug trafficking and reviewed the implementation of decisions taken during the last round. They have expressed complete satisfaction over the progress made and identified ways to further promote co-operation in a number of areas.
Both the countries welcomed the release of prisoners and fishermen by each other on the eve of these talks as a gesture of goodwill and on humanitarian grounds. They also agreed to exchange names of those civil prisoners, who have completed their sentence and whose national status has been confirmed by December 31, with a view to facilitating their release in January.
They commended the work done by the Judicial Committee on Prisoners for the release, repatriation and humane treatment of prisoners and agreed on the need for the continuation of the work of the Committee. They have also agreed that, henceforth, verification of nationality status would be completed within six weeks of provision of consular access. They also agreed to facilitate the expeditious release of fishermen and boats.
Both sides welcomed the signing of Agreement on Consular Access during the review of the 4th Round of Pakistan-India Composite Dialogue, and affirmed full implementation of the Agreement. They stressed the need for visa liberalisation and discussed the draft Visa Agreement. The Indian side would propose a draft Visa Agreement within four weeks, based on parameters discussed.
They have agreed to view the matters related to inadvertent crossers on humanitarian grounds and recommended early finalisation of the draft agreement regarding inadvertent crossings by the expert group on Conventional CBMs which is due to meet soon.
Both sides noted that Protocol of 1974 on visits to religious shrines was due for revision along with lists of religious shrines in both countries and it was decided that the matter will be discussed under the segment of Secretary Culture level talks on Promotion of Friendly Exchanges which is likely to take place soon.
The two sides have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to check all kinds of smuggling of narcotics and fake currency between the two countries. They assessed as positive the existing co-operation and information sharing between the Anti-Narcotics Force of Pakistan and the Narcotics Control Bureau of India and agreed that both Agencies would enhance mutual co-operation in terms of effective and sustained steps to control drugs trafficking.
The MoU on Drug Demand Reduction and Prevention of Illicit Trafficking in Narcotics Drugs/Psychotropic Substances and Precursor Chemicals and Related Matters, was also signed. They welcomed this development and agreed that the MoU will further promote bilateral co-operation in this field. It was agreed that Director General ANF of Pakistan and Director General of NCB of India will meet as early as possible to discuss ways of furthering co-operation.
The Secretaries have decided that the Federal Investigation Agency of Pakistan and the Central Bureau of Investigation of India will schedule a meeting at an early date to discuss ways of co-operation in addressing the issues of human trafficking, illegal immigration, and counterfeit currency, along with Red Corner Notices (RCN) subjects. The meeting agreed to continue the discussions within the framework of the Composite Dialogue.