Terrorism: India, Pak for 'sustained' measures

Union Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta and Pakistan's Interior Secretary Syed Kamal Shah strongly condemned all acts of terrorism during the fourth round of home secretary-level talks on terrorism and drug trafficking between the two countries, which were held in Delhi.

But ironically, the talks had to be ended ahead of time because of the "occupation" of Islamabad's Lal Masjid by Jehadi elements.

Nothing could have been more appropriate than the statement of the two secretaries at the end of the talks. It was India that raised concerns on terrorism and fugitives. The joint statement said it was agreed that "effective and sustained" measures would be taken to combat terrorism.

"It was agreed that terrorists and criminals in either countries would be effectively dealt with," the statement said.

This is a far cry from the acrimony that accompanied the exchange of lists of criminals five years ago amid trading of charges about the presence of Dawood Ibrahim in Pakistan.

It was agreed that co-operation would be enhanced between the CBI and its Pakistani counterpart Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in the areas of human trafficking, illegal immigration and counterfeit currency.

The nodal points in both the agencies will meet periodically to facilitate early disposal of Interpol related cases.

India and Pakistan also agreed to free all fishermen as also prisoners in each other's custody who have completed their sentences, by August 14-15 when the two neighbours observe their Independence Days.