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ISLAMABAD, Aug 10: Officials of Pakistan and India presented their points of view on the issues of cross-border terrorism and drug smuggling on the first day of the two-day talks which began here on Tuesday.
Talking to Dawn, Interior Ministry spokesman Chaudhry Abdul Rauf described the first day's deliberations as positive. He, however, ruled out the possibility of an agreement during the current round. "The signing of any agreement between the two countries was not on the agenda of the meeting," he said.
The spokesman declined to disclose details of the opening day's deliberations. Before the conclusion of the meeting, he said, he could not elaborate the respective perceptions of the two sides and the outcome of the talks.
However, he was hopeful that the talks would be successful and help narrow down the differences between the two neighbours. Later, a press release issued by the interior ministry said that the two sides comprehensively discussed the issue of terrorism and drug-trafficking in a frank and candid atmosphere.
The Indian delegation was led by Home Secretary Dhirendra Singh while Interior Secretary Tariq Mehmud headed the Pakistan side. The talks are being held under the composite dialogue process.
India and Pakistan have conflicting opinions on the issues of 'terrorism' and 'state terrorism' and, therefore, the ongoing talks between the two sides are considered crucial at least for narrowing down the differences.
Foreign Office spokesman Masood Khan avoided a straight answer when he was asked for a definition of 'terrorism' and 'state terrorism' from Pakistan's point of view.
"I know what you are asking but you should better contact the interior ministry spokesman to know Pakistan's point of view," he said. Mr Khan said that since the talks were being held in the interior ministry, their spokesman was the right person to say anything about the talks.
AFP ADDS: The talks lasted more than two hours and the two sides will meet again on Wednesday to conclude their discussions. The talks are part of the step-by-step dialogue process addressing an eight-point agenda agreed on in July.
"They had a substantive session today in which they discussed all issues related to terrorism and drug trafficking," Masood Khan told AFP. "They shared their respective perception on the issues."
Further talks on economic and commercial cooperation will be held in Islamabad on Wednesday and Thursday, marking the conclusion of the eight-point agenda, Mr Khan said. Foreign secretaries will meet in New Delhi on Sept 4 to prepare for foreign ministers' talks on Sept 5 and 6, also in New Delhi.
