March 12, 2007	Monday	Safar 22, 1428

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ISLAMABAD, March 11: With the foreign secretaries of Pakistan and India set to kick off the fourth round of the ‘composite dialogue’ here on Tuesday, there are strong signals of an agreement on holding talks on the Siachen issue and liberalisation of visa regime.

According to sources, indications are that New Delhi will convey its readiness for talks between the directors-general of military operations (DGMO) of the two countries on the Siachen glacier issue, proposed by Islamabad. There was also a strong possibility of an agreement on revision of the 1974 visa regime to liberalise it, the sources told Dawn on Sunday.

India was likely to propose dates for the Siachen talks at the meeting, the sources said. Pakistan had proposed two sets of dates for the DGMO-level meeting in February but there was no response from India.

The proposed revised visa regime would include a new category of group tourism, multiple one-year visa for businessmen, visa on arrival for 65 year-olds and above; and two-year multiple visa for members of divided families and spouses, it is learnt.

The two sides have exchanged drafts on liberalising the 1974 visa agreement.

During the two-day talks, the foreign secretaries will take up the vital issues of Jammu and Kashmir as well as peace and security. They will review progress made in the third round of the composite dialogue and set the roadmap for the next one. The two sides will also discuss other issues, including the South Asia Free Trade Agreement, the question of prisoners and Sir Creek, officials said.

According to insiders, no major breakthrough is expected.

A schedule for meetings on other areas covered under the composite dialogue is likely to be finalised and announced in a joint statement.

The eight items in the composite dialogue framework are: Siachen; Tulbul Navigation Project/Wullar Barrage; Sir Creek; economic and commercial cooperation and friendly exchanges; terrorism and drug trafficking; peace and security; and Jammu and Kashmir.

A five-member Indian delegation led by Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon is scheduled to arrive here on Monday. Mr Menon will be accompanied by senior officials of his ministry.