The Hindu : Front Page : India, Pakistan to share information

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Mar 08, 2007
ePaper

Front Page

Front Page

India, Pakistan to share information

Nirupama Subramanian

ISLAMABAD: The first meeting of the India-Pakistan joint anti-terror mechanism ended here on Wednesday with both sides agreeing to exchange information that would help each other in investigation and prevent terrorist acts.

A joint statement at the conclusion of the two-day talks said that while the two sides also agreed to meet every quarter, information which needed to be conveyed on a "priority basis" would be passed on "immediately."

Indian officials said they were "satisfied" with the statement, which effectively sets out the broad parameters for the functioning of the anti-terror mechanism.

The two delegations together met Pakistan Foreign Secretary Riaz Muhammed Khan prior to finalising the statement. Indian High Commissioner Satyabrata Pal was present at the meeting. The Indian officials said Mr. Khan played "a facilitatory role" in drafting the joint statement.

The inclusion in the statement of the agreement to share information for "helping investigations on either side" made the mechanism "meaningful," they said.

In several ongoing investigations into terrorist acts or incidents, India is seeking Pakistan's assistance.

Pakistan's disappointment at not being shown particulars of the Samjhauta firebombing investigations did not affect the outcome of the meeting.

Its Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid told a private television channel on Wednesday that the Indians were being "irresponsible" by handing over a "sketch" of a person, suspected of involvement in the blast, without any other details about him.

The Indian officials said they gave Pakistan all details including his name, passport number and address.

"If Pakistan can provide us details about this particular person, give us information that will prove he was somewhere else and not on that train, then that is one person eliminated from the list," an official said.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Front Page