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India-Pakistan Joint Statement, July 4, 2007

A joint statement was released on July 4, 2007 after the fourth round of Home Secretary-level talks between India and Pakistan in New Delhi. Presented below is the full text of the statement:

 

Joint Statement issued after the Fourth round of Home/Interior Secretary level talks between India and Pakistan on Terrorism and Drugs Trafficking

04/07/2007

The fourth round of Home/Interior Secretary Level Talks between India and Pakistan on Terrorism and Drugs Trafficking, as a part of the continuing Composite Dialogue process between the two countries, was held in New Delhi on July, 3-4, 2007. The Indian delegation was led by Shri Madhukar Gupta, Union Home Secretary while the Pakistan delegation was headed by Syed Kamal Shah, Secretary, Ministry of Interior.

2. Frank and candid discussions were held in a constructive and friendly atmosphere.

3. Both sides strongly condemned all acts of terrorism and underlined the imperative need for effective and sustained measures against terrorist activities.

4. The two sides recognized that terrorists and criminals in either country need to be given swift and effective punishment.

5 Both sides welcomed the release of prisoners and fishermen by each other on the eve of these Talks as a gesture of goodwill and on humane considerations.

6. They also agreed to release by August 14-15, 2007, those prisonsers who have been granted consular access, whose national status has been verified and who have completed their prison sentences. To this end, they agreed that immediate steps will be taken by either side to reconcile their numbers to facilitate their early release on completion of necessary formalities.

7. The two sides also agreed to release by August 14-15, 2007 the remaining fishermen in each other’s custody on completion of due process. They further decided to take immediate steps to release the fishing boats, excluding trawlers, in each other’s custody.

8. Both sides agreed that the recently formed Committee on Prisoners, comprising eminent retired judges from the two countries, is a useful instrument to facilitate release and repatriation of prisoners who have served their prison sentences. It was agreed that action would be initiated to hold two meetings, one in India and the other in Pakistan, within a period of 3 months by which time the necessary reconciliation of numbers of prisoners on both sides would have been completed.

9. Separate working groups discussed in detail the drafts of the revised Visa and Consular Access Agreements aimed at liberalizing and making existing provisions more effective. The text of the Agreement on Consular Access has been finalised. Also, they made considerable progress towards early finalisation and signing of the Visa Agreement.

10. Both sides assessed as positive the existing cooperation and information sharing between the Narcotics Control Bureau of India and the Anti Narcotics Force of Pakistan and agreed that both Agencies would enhance mutual cooperation in terms of effective and sustained steps to control drugs trafficking. They also agreed that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two drug control agencies will be signed at the earliest possible.

11. Both sides appreciated the continuing interaction between the Central Bureau of Investigation of India and the Federal Investigation Agency of Pakistan in the areas of human trafficking, illegal immigration and counterfeit currency, and underlined the need to further intensify it. The nodal points in both Agencies will meet periodically to facilitate early disposal of Interpol related cases.

12. It was agreed to continue the discussions within the framework of the Composite Dialogue.

New Delhi

July 3, 2007

Source: Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, Delhi.

 

 

 

 

 

 
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