Security concerns are set to dominate proceedings during the two-day Indo-Pak Home Secretary level talks, which are part of the ongoing composite dialogue process between the two countries which began in 2004, beginning here tomorrow. But the real progress is expected in the sphere of streamlining the process of releasing “civilian” prisoners who have completed their sentences in either countries.

Pakistan, whose Interior Secretary Syed Kamal Shah arrived here today, said the people of both the countries were interested in the issue of “civilian” prisoners. These are the people who had either overstayed or had committed a crime during their stay. But the issue of prisoners who were being held on charges related to national security is unlikely to be taken up officially, sources said. The Union Home Ministry expressed optimism and hoped that the meeting would contribute to confidence building and increasing people-to-people contact.

The Indian side, led by Union Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta, will also request Pakistan to increase the level of cooperation in tackling terrorism. The presence of training camps across the border and the increase in infiltration levels in Jammu and Kashmir over the past few months are also likely to figure during the meeting, which comes days after Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil reviewed the security situation at a high-level meeting in Srinagar.

India is also expected to hand over a list of about 55 fugitives to Pakistan. However, keeping in mind their past experiences, officials said they did not expect anything concrete to come out of this. Strengthening of cooperation between the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency will also be discussed.

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