RAWALPINDI, Dec 22: Pakistan and India on Friday agreed to conduct a joint survey on Sir Creek in the first week of January 2007, officials told Dawn after the first round of talks between the two countries.

They said that an exact date for the commencement of the survey would be worked out during the second round of talks on Saturday. A joint statement was likely to be issued at the conclusion of talks.

"The talks were held in cordial and friendly atmosphere," a defence ministry press release said.

Both the sides deliberated upon the issue and understood each other's point of view. The meeting expressed satisfaction over the progress achieved during the course of discussion.

The Pakistani side was led by Maj-Gen Jamilur Rahman Afridi, Surveyor General Pakistan, while the Indian side was headed by Rear Admiral B.R. Rao, Chief Naval Hydrographer.

The Indian delegation also called on Rear Admiral Tanveer Faiz, additional secretary, ministry of defence, and discussed with him matters of bilateral interests.

Both the sides underlined the need for an amicable solution of all outstanding issues as it would contribute towards economic and social prosperity of the region.

The survey on Sir Creek expected in January will be the second in two years to be undertaken by the two countries in the history of 22-year-long dispute over a 60-mile-long strip of water between the Rann of Kutch in India and Sindh in Pakistan.

The first joint survey was conducted by hydrographers of the two countries in January 2005. The Sir Creek dispute is one of the eight subjects being discussed under the composite dialogue process and is considered a relatively less complicated issue. Pakistan and India have had several rounds of talks at both technical and governmental levels since 1969 on the issue.