India and Pakistan have agreed to remain engaged on outstanding issues and accordingly the Home/Interior Secretary level talks would now be held biannually. This and the following points were decided on March 28 at the high level talks between the Indian delegation led by Gopal K. Pillai, Home Secretary and the Pakistan delegation led by Qamar Zaman Chaudhary, Interior Secretary.

Hotline

The two countries agreed to set up a Hotline between the Home Secretary of India and the Interior Secretary of Pakistan to facilitate real time information sharing with respect to terrorist threats. Both sides reiterated their commitment to fight terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and reaffirmed the need to bring those responsible for such crimes to justice.

The Pakistani side provided updates on the ongoing trial and investigation in Pakistan on the Mumbai terror attacks. Pakistan conveyed its readiness, in principle, based upon the principle of comity and reciprocity, to entertain a Commission from India with respect to the Mumbai terror attack investigations.

Judicial Commission from Pakistan to visit

Modalities and composition in this connection will be worked out through diplomatic channels. Dates for the visit of the Judicial Commission from Pakistan in connection with the Mumbai attack trial would be conveyed by India within four to six weeks. NIA and FIA will continue to cooperate in the Mumbai terror attack investigations.

India provided information on the ongoing Samjhautha Express train blast case investigation. It was also agreed that after filing of report in the court, updated information will be shared with the concerned Pakistan authorities.

Release of prisoners

Both sides noted and welcomed the release of prisoners and fishermen and agreed to release by April 15, 2011 those civilian prisoners/fishermen who have completed their sentence, whose nationality status has been confirmed by the respective Governments and whose travel documents have been received. The complete list of prisoners in each other’s custody will be exchanged by both sides on July 1, 2011.

The two countries agreed that the problem and issues of the inadvertent crossers should be viewed sympathetically, and in a focused and sensitive manner. Accordingly, they agreed to task the Coast Guard of India and the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency to work on setting up a mechanism for release of inadvertent crossers (fishermen) and their boats on the same lines as the inadvertent crossers on land.

Both countries shared concerns of the growing menace of narcotics/drugs and agreed that cooperation between the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) of India and the Anti Narcotics Force (ANF) of Pakistan should be enhanced to ensure an effective control on drug trafficking. It was further agreed that talks between the two Directors General would be held annually and the Indian DG will go to Pakistan in May 2011 for talks. The memorandum of understanding on drug demand reduction and prevention of illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs/psychotropic substances and precursor chemicals will be finalised in the May talks.

It was decided that the CBI and the FIA will schedule a meeting to work out the technical details of moving forward on issues such as human trafficking, counterfeit currency, cyber crimes and Red Corner Notices (RCNs).

Both sides agreed to set up a Joint Working Group to examine the modalities for streamlining the visa procedure/modalities and for giving a final shape to revision of the bilateral visa agreement.

The Interior Secretary of Pakistan invited the Home Secretary of India for the next Home/Interior Secretary level talks in Pakistan. The invitation was accepted. They have agreed that the visit of the Interior Minister of Pakistan to India will take place on mutually convenient dates, to be decided through diplomatic channels.