Apr 29, 2008

MAY 2007

Schedule of Indo Pakistan Fourth Round of Composite Dialogue

An MEA, India Press Release indicated the schedule of Indo Pakistan Fourth Round of Composite dialogue as a follow up of the Foreign Secretary talks held on 13-14 March 2007 as follows:-

• Talks on Sir Creek are scheduled to be held on 17-18 May 2007 in Islamabad. These have since been concluded successfully.
• Tulbal Navigation Project (at the level of Water Resources Secretaries)
  26-27 June, 2007, New Delhi.
• Promotion of Friendly Exchanges in Various Fields (at the level of Culture Secretaries) 28-29 June, 2007, Islamabad.
• Terrorism & Drug Trafficking (at the level of Home Secretaries)
  3-4 July 2007, New Delhi.
• Economic & Commercial Cooperation (at the level of Commerce Secretaries) 31 July - 1 August 2007, followed by a meeting of the Joint Study Group on 2 August 2007, New Delhi.

SAST JUNE 2007

MARCH 2007

Fourth Round of the Composite Dialogue - Foreign Secretaries of India and Pakistan

The Fourth Round of Composite Dialogue between India and Pakistan was held during the month with a meeting of the foreign secretaries in Islamabad. The key decisions taken are summarized as follows:-

Peace and Security

• Expedite negotiations to conclude an Agreement on Prevention of Incidents at Sea.
• To fully observe the ceasefire (On the Line of Control).
• Conclude and sign an Agreement on Modalities for the Conduct of Quarterly Flag meetings at the Sectors to be agreed upon.
• Conclude and sign a Framework Agreement on Speedy Return of Inadvertent Line Crossers.
• Conclude an agreement on No Development of New Posts and Defence Works along the LOC.
• Proposed drafts for new border control guidelines along the International Border.

Nuclear CBMs

• Hold discussions on security doctrines.

Jammu and Kashmir

• Ensure implementation of the already agreed Jammu and Kashmir related CBMs
• Ensure operationalization of Truck service
• Ensure operationalization/rationalization of five crossing points in the State.

Siachen

• Defence Secretaries of the two countries assisted by respective Directors General (Military Operations) to meet to hold talks.

People to People Contacts

• Conclude during the Fourth round bilateral Visa Agreement, Agreement on Consular Access, and revise the Protocol on Visits to Religious Places.
• The Committee on Prisoners composed of four judges from each side to ensure humane treatment and expeditious release of prisoners on both sides.

Indo Pakistan Joint Counter Terrorism Panel

The Indo Pakistan Joint Counter Terrorism mechanism met during the month. Information on the Samjhauta Train blasts in Panipat was exchanged. Pakistan sought additional details on the Delhi and Varanasi blasts and the Bangalore Indian Institute of Science firing incidents. Pakistani authorities refused to include terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir as a part of the agenda for discussion stating that Jammu and Kashmir being disputed territory was outside the purview of the September agreement. Parameters of Anti-Terrorism Mechanism were discussed by both sides and agreement to share specific information through the Mechanism for (i) Helping investigations on either side related to terrorist acts and (ii) Prevention of violence and terrorist acts in the two countries was covered. Pakistani media also reported that Islamabad had raised issues of Indian role in developments in Balochistan including role of Indian consulates in Afghanistan. The Panel agreed to meet every three months for exchange of information and undertake measures to prevent further attacks. ( Hindustan Times, 8 March 2007).

Progress cannot be expected to be very substantial in the first few meetings and forward movement is likely only if persisted for a year and more. Many feel that this is one way of opening up routes between the intelligence community of the two states which in the long run may see the resistance of the ISI to clamp down on the Lashkar e Taiyyaba and Jaish e Mohammad whittling away. India also has a Joint Counter Terror Work Group agreement with Israel and the USA, meetings of which were held during the month.

Indo Japan Defence Cooperation

Indo Japan defence cooperation also saw forward movement with the first Joint Goodwill Exercise between the Japan Maritime Self Defence Force and the Indian Navy slated to take place shortly. Expansion is also likely in capacity building for Coast Guards, enhancing safety and security of sea lanes of communication, combating piracy and terrorism, search and rescue, and disaster relief.

(SAST April 2007)

FEBRUARY 2007

Indo Pakistan Nuclear Confidence Building Measures

Indo Pakistan dialogue on confidence building measures in the nuclear field seem to be on the right track. A list of nuclear facilities and installations has been provided to the other side by each country under the Agreement on the Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear Installations and Facilities. In 2006, India had indicated 11 installations and Pakistan 8 sites. Other pacts in this spectrum between the two countries include Agreement on pre notification of ballistic missile tests in 2006 and a hotline to prevent accidental nuclear conflict. An agreement on, "Reducing Risks from Accidents" relating to nuclear weapons will be signed in February 2007. This will encompass possibility of an accidental strike including terrorist attacks. This will contribute to reducing the threat of escalation and radiation. Thus information will also have to be provided in case of an accidental nuclear leakage.

Joint Survey of Sir Creek Commences

Putting an end to the vexatious issue of Sir Creek a joint survey on the disputed marshy area commenced on 15 January. The survey is expected to be completed by 15 March after which the data will be studied by both sides. The problem of missing pillars beyond Pillar No 46 would complicate the survey as a common agreed point may not come up. A shifting of the boundary towards the sea ward areas will see claims over the EEZ which in turn indicates large marine and mineral wealth including oil and gas. The method to be adopted is of equidistance. A common point will be denoted in the sea at a far distance and points equidistant from the same will be plotted on land from which a baseline point will be accepted as the maritime boundary. India has been consistently indicating that the boundary lays mid stream while Pakistan has been contesting it to be on the Eastern bank nearer to Indian land. A report in the Hindustan Times by analyst Manoj Joshi indicated that acceptance of Pakistan`s claim by India would entail a loss of 200 square kms partly because the Creek has shifted east over the past 80 years. The gains however will be in extending the EEZ from the present 370 kms to 650 under UN Laws of the Seas. (UNCLOS). ( Hindustan Times, 6 January 2007 ). The urgency of the issue is underlined by the need to resolve all maritime disputes by 2009 failing which the waters will be declared as international by the United Nations.

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