ISLAMABAD, Dec 1: The next round of talks between the foreign secretaries of Pakistan and India under the ongoing composite dialogue process has again been rescheduled for Dec 27 and 28, on India's request.
The meeting between Foreign Secretary Riaz Khokhar and his Indian counterpart Shyam Saran to discuss the issues of peace and security and Jammu and Kashmir will now be held on December 27-28, a foreign ministry statement said.
Earlier the talks were scheduled for Dec 23 and 24. "The rescheduling of the dates has been done at the request of the government of India," the statement said. Foreign Office spokesman Masood Khan had earlier stated at his regular briefing that Pakistan had suggested Dec 21-22 for the talks but India suggested alternative dates of Dec 23-24 through diplomatic channels.
"The foreign secretaries will discuss overall progress on key issues as well as subjects of peace and security including confidence-building measures and the Jammu and Kashmir dispute," the spokesman said.
The two secretaries will also work out a schedule of meetings on other six items - Siachen; Wullar Barrage; Sir Creek; terrorism and drug trafficking; economic and commercial cooperation; and promotion of friendly exchanges.
Pakistan and India have been engaged in a peace dialogue since January, with officials and politicians discussing various major sticking points. The first round of the talks was completed in September.
The December meeting will look at overall progress on key issues such as confidence-building measures between the two countries, and the disputed region of Kashmir. -Agencies
