The heads of the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency and Indian Coast Guard will meet here next month to hold talks for the release of each other’s fishermen.
During the talks scheduled between July 5 and 7, the directors general of the two forces will also hold discussions on evolving a joint cross-border fishing mechanism under which the two countries would take a lenient view towards each others’ fishing communities. The talks come close on the heels of the two sides holding separate parleys to address the long-pending Siachen and Sir Creek issues. Coast Guard DG Vice Admiral MP Murlidharan and MSA DG Rear Admiral Waseem Akram will represent the two countries at the talks.
The sources said that while there were no high expectations about the outcome of the talks, the negotiations would help the two sides engage with the issues faced by the two sides in guarding their maritime boundaries. There is a hotline between the directors general of the two agencies through which they talk to each other and discuss issues. The two countries regularly arrest each other’s fishermen who violate maritime boundaries.
FUEL TALKS: The second round of talks between the ministries of petroleum and natural resources of Pakistan and India would be held on July 12-13 in the Indian capital. In the first round of talks held in Islamabad, Pakistan showed interest in purchasing furnace oil, diesel, jet fuel and petrol from India, whereas India assured that it could fulfil Pakistan’s energy needs. The two countries would discuss modalities for importing petroleum products from India, rates and route.
