Hotline Reduces Apprehensions of Pakistan, India Fishermen
'Pakistan Times' Foreign Desk

NEW DELHI (India): Pakistan and India have confirmed that the regular communication on the hotline had brought down the number of apprehensions of fishermen of both the countries during the last nine months.

This was stated in a press release issued here on Friday afternoon after the conclusion of the 2-day talks on maritime cooperation between Pakistan and India.

Both the countries also reaffirmed their commitment to provide help to mariners in distress and carry out coordinated Search and Rescue.

Pakistan was represented by Rear Admiral Tayyab Ali Dogar, Director General Pakistan Maritime Security Agency while Indian side was represented by Vice Admiral RF Contractor, Director General Indian Coast Guard at the talks.

The discussions between the two Director Generals encompassed issues Pertaining to violation of Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) by fishermen and procedures for repatriation of the fishermen and their boats, pollution incidents and response, maritime search and rescue, natural disasters and exchange of information regarding smuggling and illicit trafficking.

Various modalities of dealing with the violations of EEZ were discussed.

The delegations also evinced interest in information sharing The press release further said Information regarding the number of fishermen and boats in custody on either side as well as the modalities of releasing fishermen whose identities have been established and the fishing boats were also discussed.

The Indian Coast Guard and Pakistan Maritime Security Agency signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Oct 3, 2005. Under this MoU, a hotline communication link between the two Director Generals was also established on Nov 14 last year.

The MoU stipulates that the heads of the two organisations meet once a year alternately in India or in Pakistan to review the progress of the MoU.

This was the first meeting held under the purview of this MoU at Indian Coast Guard Headquarter here.

Rear Admiral Tayyab Ali Dogar called on the Indian Chief of the Naval Staff and the Indian Defence Secretary prior to going into talks on August 9.●