No new defence posts on LoC, says India

Khokrapar-Munabao rail link extended to Ajmer

India and Pakistan today agreed to extend the Khokrapar-Munabao rail link between Sind and Rajasthan to Ajmer to facilitate Pakistani pilgrims' visit to Moinuddin Chishti's tomb.

India also offered a proposal to Pakistan that no defence posts be developed and no defence work take place near the Line of Control (LoC). Third round of the composite dialogue was kicked off today at the level of foreign secretaries to review the ongoing peace process and discuss fresh confidence building measures (CBMs).

The Indian side also proposed holding of Brigadier-level flag meetings at the frontier, External Affairs ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna said after the first day of the two-day talks.

Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran conveyed India's concerns over terrorism to his Pakistani counterpart Riaz Mohammad Khan, noting that Islamabad had responded negatively on this aspect despite giving an assurance at the highest level.

Pakistan raised the issue of India commenting on the situation in Balochistan. The comment was made because "certain situation" had developed in the neighbourhood, which was of "concern", India told Pakistan. The Indian side rejected as "unfounded" Pakistan's allegation about New Delhi's involvement in fomenting trouble in Balochistan, Sarna said.

On the draft MoU handed over to Islamabad in October on measures to reduce the risks of accidental or unauthorised use of nuclear weapons, the Pakistani side gave its "preliminary observations," Sarna said. "A detailed response will be given to us before the expert-level talks on nuclear CBMs later this year," the MEA spokesman said.

He said developments on the nuclear CBMs were noted as one of the successes of the composite dialogue was the implementation of the hotline between the foreign secretaries.

The issues of Siachen and Sir Creek also came for mention during the meeting, Sarna said. The two sides noted as "positive achievements" the decision to launch a bus services between Amritsar and Lahore, and Amritsar and Nankana Sahib, and successful implementation of the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service and meeting points on the Line of Control.

India's response in the wake of the October 8 earthquake was appreciated by the Pakistan foreign secretary at the start of the talks, Sarna said.