ISLAMABAD, June 28: Pakistan and India swapped draft proposals for ‘promotion of friendly exchanges’ on Thursday when the culture secretaries of the two countries met here to start the fourth round of talks on the subject.
On the opening day of the two-day talks only one session was held because some members of the Indian delegation could not arrive here in time for the meeting. The focus of the discussions on the first day was on cultural exchanges including visits of writers, it is learnt.
The Pakistani side gave a draft proposal containing a programme for friendly exchanges and the Indian side proposed exchange programmes between the Pakistan National Council of Arts and the Indian Council of Cultural Relations, and holding of painting exhibitions. However, nothing was finalised, according to the sources privy to the meeting.
The Indian side was led by Secretary for Culture Baadal Das while the Pakistani inter-ministerial delegation was headed by Culture Secretary Salim Gul Sheikh. Pakistan’s High Commissioner to India Shahid Malik was also present at the meeting as was his Indian counterpart.
The two sides will have a more detailed session on Friday after which a joint statement will be issued to reflect its outcome. Progress is expected in some areas, sources said.
The talks on ‘promotion of friendly exchanges’ — being held under the Composite Dialogue framework — cover exchanges in the areas of art and culture, sports, youth affairs, health, education, tourism, religious affairs and media.
