Pakistan, India agree not to set up new posts along LoC
By Hayyan Faisal - Pakistan Times Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI (India): Pakistan and India on Monday reaffirmed their commitment to uphold the ongoing ceasefire and agreed not to set up any new posts and defence works along the Line of Control.

The Joint Statement, issued at the conclusion of day-long talks on Conventional CBMs between the two countries here at South Block, said both sides agreed to upgrade the existing hotline between the two DGMOs by end September this year.

Pakistan delegation was led by Additional Secretary Foreign Office, Tariq Osman Hyder while Indian side was headed by Joint Secretary (Pakistan) External Affairs Ministry, Dileep Sinha at the second round of Experts Level talks.

The Joint Statement was read out by the External Affairs Ministry Spokesman, Navtej Sarna at a press briefing held here at Shastri Bhawan.

Cordial, Constructive atmosphere

The talks were held in a cordial and constructive atmosphere between the two delegations, the statement said adding, both sides exchanged views on their respective security concepts.

They agreed to implement the 1991 Agreement between Pakistan and India on Air Space Violations in letter and spirit.

Both sides also agreed to hold monthly Flag Meetings, between local commanders at Kargil-Olding, Uri-Chakothi, Naushera-Sadabad and Jammu-Sialkot Sectors, maintained the statement.

Both sides also agreed for speedy return of inadvertent Line crossers and to work out a comprehensive framework to that end and periodically review the existing CBMs.

The two sides agreed to report the progress made in the present round of talks to the respective Foreign Secretaries, who will decide on the date and venue of the next Expert Level meeting on Conventional CBMs, the Joint Statement said.

Text of the Joint Statement

Following is the text of the Joint Statement issued here at the conclusion of day-long Expert Level talks on Conventional CBMs:

"The Second Round of Expert Level Talks between India and Pakistan on Conventional Confidence Building Measures was held in New Delhi on 08 August 2005. Mr Dilip Sinha, Joint Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs, led the Indian side. Mr Tariq Osman Hyder, Additional Secretary (UN&EC), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, led the Pakistan delegation,

2. The talks between the two delegations were held in a cordial and constructive atmosphere.

3. Both sides exchanged views on their respective security concepts.

4. The two sides exchanged views on various proposals and agreed on the following CBMs:

i) Reaffirmed their commitment to uphold the ongoing ceasefire.

ii) To implement the 1991 Agreement between Pakistan and India on Air Space Violations in letter and spirit.

iii) Upgrade the existing hotline between the two DGMOs by end September 2005.

iv) Not to develop any new posts and defence works along the LoC.

v) Hold monthly Flag Meetings, between local commanders, at Kargil/ Olding, Uri/ Chakothi, Naushera/ Sadabad and Jammu/ Sialkot Sectors.

vi) Speedy return of inadvertent Line crossers, and to work out a comprehensive framework to that end.

vii) Periodically review the existing CBMs.

5. The two sides also agreed to report the progress made in the present round of talks to the respective Foreign Secretaries, who will decide on the date and venue of the next Expert Level meeting on Conventional CBMs."

Talks on Eco Cooperation next week

Yet another report says that India and Pakistan will hold two-day talks on Economic and Commercial Cooperation on August 9 and 10 within the framework of Composite Dialogue process.

A high-level trade delegation led by Secretary Incharge Commerce Syed Asif Shah will arrived here Monday to lead Pakistani side at the secretary-level talks on Economic Cooperation.

Textiles, fruits and dry fruits from Pakistan will attract lesser duty in India as part of a major confidence building initiative to be announced by New Delhi soon, said a news report here.

Import duties on these items would be lesser as a result of India's decision to replace specific duties on these goods with simple duties, added the report.

The proposal to remove specific duties and replace them with simple duty will be taken up by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's Trade and Economic Relations Committee after Indo-Pak Commerce Secretary level talks on Economic Cooperation, the report said.

Bilateral Trade

Meanwhile, an official news release issued here Sunday said Indo-Pak bilateral trade has risen by 76 per cent touching dollar 600.77 million in fiscal 2004-05.

With a view to enhance bilateral trade, both countries had last year decided to set up Joint Study Group on Economic Cooperation.

The first meeting of the JSG was held in February this year here in the national capital.

Under the JSG, two working groups have been set up on customs and trade facilitation measures and non-tariff barriers with a view to enhance cooperation in these areas.

Indian Exports to Pakistan Included iron, ore, dyes and chemicals, drugs and pharmaceuticals and plastic and linoleum products among others, the release said.

While Fruits and nut, cotton yarn and fabric, pulses, spices, man-made filament and leather were on the top among the products being imported from Pakistan, added the release.●