May 8, 2005	Sunday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 28, 1426

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ISLAMABAD, May 7: An Indian delegation headed by Vice-Admiral Arun Kumar Singh, Director-General of Indian Coast Guard, will visit Pakistan next week as part of the ongoing dialogue to bolster relations between the two countries. During the two-day visit commencing from May 10, the Indian delegation would discuss a memorandum of understanding on the establishment of communication link between Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) and Indian Coast Guard (ICG), said a statement from the ministry of defence.

According to the statement, at present the PMSA interacts with the 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 waters and to facilitate exchange of information between the two countries on apprehension of fisherman and necessary coordination in their early and smooth repatriation process, there is a need for establishing a communication link between the PMSA and the ICG.

Exchange of information on other important maritime aspects like search and rescue at sea, natural disasters, pollution incidents, smuggling and drug trafficking will also be deliberated in the meeting.

Need to educate fishermen to stop transgressing the neighbuoring country’s waters will also be a subject under discussion during this round of talks, the statement said. —-APP