ISLAMABAD, June 27: Pakistan and India will begin the fourth round of talks on ‘Promotion of Friendly Exchanges’ here on Thursday in a bid to advance the process of confidence building and meaningful cooperation.
The two-day talks being held under the Composite Dialogue framework will focus on exchanges in the areas of art and culture, sports, youth affairs, medicine, education, tourism, religious affairs, information and media.
There are indications that the two sides will reach an agreement on some institutional arrangements for exchanges in fields such as higher education, health, information and youth affairs.
According to informed diplomatic sources, liberalisation of visa regime will not be on the agenda of the meeting that will take place at a local five-star hotel.
A seven-member Indian delegation headed by Culture Secretary Baadal Das arrived in Islamabad on Wednesday evening. The Pakistani side will be led by Culture Secretary Salim Gul Sheikh. The inter-ministerial meeting will also be attended by senior officials of the foreign ministry, including director-general of South Asia Division Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry.
“The two sides will review the existing proposals and discuss some new proposals to promote exchanges at different levels,” a Pakistani delegate told Dawn on the eve of the talks. He said Pakistan would be open to meaningful and constructive cooperation in any area. A joint press statement will be issued at the conclusion of the talks.
