With terrorism and drug trafficking high on the agenda, Indo-Pak Home Secretary level talks are being held on Tuesday to hammer out a mechanism for sorting out these issues.
NEW DELHI: With terrorism and drug trafficking high on the agenda, Indo-Pak Home Secretary level talks are being held on Tuesday to hammer out a mechanism for sorting out these issues.
While Union Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta led the Indian side, the 11-member Pakistani delegation was led by his counterpart Syed Kamal Shah.
During the two-day meeting, New Delhi will convey strong concerns to Pakistan on stepped up cross border terrorism and seek assurance on the ground to dismantle terror infrastructure.
Assurances by Pakistan of not allowing its soil to be used by terror outfits are viewed skeptically by the government which has bluntly told Islamabad that terror infrastructure including training camps and communication networks continued to function with impunity.
Ahead of the talks, the Pakistan Home Secretary struck an optimistic note saying 'intentions are always good. We always had positive outcome whenever we have met.'
"We will be able to discuss issues and finalise some details and hope a positive outcome on all issues of public interest," Shah said while replying to a question about the expectations of the Pakistani delegation from the talks.
Echoing similar views, Gupta hoped that the parleys would be 'positive and fruitful' and contribute to the confidence building measure and also improve people to people contact.
The two sides would also discuss would on draft agreements on relaxation of visa rules and steps to check illicit drug trafficking.
Among other issues likely to come up for discussions during the talks were human trafficking, money laundering, fake currency, consular access and issues relating to civilian prisoners and fishermen.
However, issues like release of Sarabjeet Singh, who is languishing in a Pakistani jail, was unlikely to be taken up at the meeting.
A possibility on reaching an understanding for early finalisation of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the drug control agencies for setting up of a regular institutional mechanism for cooperation on drug-related matters.
Strengthening of cooperation between the investigating agencies in the two countries will also be taken up for discussion.
Involvement of Pakistan-based elements in recent terror incidents including the Hyderabad Mosque explosion and the Samjhauta Express blast is also expected to be raised by the Indian side during the talks.
India is likely to demand deportation of terrorists and criminals, including Dawood Ibrahim and his brother Anees, wanted by it. New Delhi has already handed over a list of about 35 such fugitives to Islamabad.
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