While sticking to their traditional stands on cross-border militancy, India and Pakistan on Wednesday set an Independence Day (August 14-15) deadline for the release of all fishermen and prisoners who have completed their sentences in either countries. A decision on this confidence building measure came during the Home Secretary-level talks that continued till late last night.

The countries have also finalised a protocol on consular access to prisoners and agreed to put in place a liberalised visa regime. Both the countries will take immediate steps to reconcile their numbers to facilitate their early release. Pakistan Interior Secretary Syed Kamal Shah said his country had no role in the continued influx of militants into India, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir, which has seen a rise in militancy over the past few months. Pakistan is also believed to have referred to “foreign-sponsored” activities on its homeground, particularly Balochistan and Sind.

The Indian side, led by Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta, expressed the Government’s concerns over terrorism and fugitives and sought effective action from Pakistan. India is learnt to have handed over a list of fugitives believed to be in Pakistan on the basis of information received from Interpol. The joint statement released today, however, said: “Both sides strongly condemned all acts of terrorism and underlined the imperative need for effective and sustained measures against terrorist activities. The two sides recoginsed that terrorists and criminals in either country need to be given swift and effective punishment.”

Shah and three other members of the Pakistani delegation left after midnight yesterday following clashes in Islamabad. Other members of the delegation had another round of discussions with the Indian team today, focusing on follow-up action on decisions taken yesterday, said a Home Ministry spokesperson. Officials, however, admitted that more discussions were needed before finalising the new visa regime.

... contd.