RAWALPINDI, May 7: A delegation headed by Vice Admiral Arun Kumar Singh, Director-General Indian Coast Guard, will visit Pakistan on May 10 and 11. According to a press release issued by the ministry of defence, the visit is in continuation of the ongoing confidence building measures between the two countries.

The purpose of the visit is to discuss the memorandum of understanding on establishment of communication link between the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) and the Indian Coast Guard (ICG).

At present, the PMSA interacts with ICG in connection with repatriation of Indian/Pakistani fishermen and coordination for search and rescue at sea. Due to the increased poaching activities in Pakistan’s EEZ (exclusive economic zone) and to facilitate exchange of information between the two countries on the fishermen’s smooth repatriation, there is a need for establishment of a communication link between the PMSA and ICG.

Exchange of information on other important maritime aspects like natural disasters, calamities, pollution incidents, smuggling and drug trafficking will also be discussed.

Need to educate local fishermen to stop transgressing into the neighbouring country’s EEZ will also come under discussion.