ISLAMABAD, Dec 2: Pakistan and India would shortly sign a memorandum of understanding to enhance co-operation for narcotics control, said a joint statement by the heads of drug control departments of the two countries after their two-day talks which ended in Rawalpindi on Friday.

ANF Director-General Syed Khalid Amir Jaffery and Director-General of the Narcotics Control Board of India K. C. Verma said in the statement that the two sides had agreed to sign the MOU in principal on any convenient date shortly.

The seventh round of director-general level talks between the narcotics control agencies of Pakistan and India was held on December 1 and 2.

According to the foreign office, the talks were held in a cordial atmosphere as the two sides recognized the efforts of each other in fighting drug trafficking and appreciated the need for advancing the efforts through enhanced mutual cooperation.

During the talks, detailed discussions were held on drug supply and demand reduction.

There was convergence of views on issues of mutual concern and the two sides reaffirmed their resolve for regular exchange of information on drug-related issues.

Realising the region’s sensitivity to transit trafficking of drugs, both sides reiterated their commitment for forging closer cooperation between their drug and law enforcement agencies.

Later, the leader of the Indian delegation called on Minister for Narcotics Control Ghaus Bux Mahar.