December 4, 2003	Thursday	Shawwal 8, 1424

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NEW DELHI, Dec 3: India formally proposed on Wednesday setting up a hotline between the Indian and Pakistani coastguards and twice-yearly meetings between officials, a statement said.

India first made the proposal on Oct 22 as part of a series of confidence-building measures. On Wednesday, Pakistan was told the link could start on Jan 1, an external affairs ministry statement said.

The move was designed to prevent the frequent arrests of fishermen by the authorities on both sides. The statement said India was waiting for Pakistan’s response.—AFP