The two-day talks between Indian Coast Guard and Pakistan Maritime Security Agency concluded here today with both sides expressing willingness to sharing of information on matters of "mutual importance".
The Indian side was led by Director General of the Coast Guard, Vice Admiral R F Contractor and the Pakistani side was led by Rear Admiral Tayyab Ali Dogar, Director General of Pakistan Maritime Security Agency.Both countries discussed modalities for exchange of information regarding smuggling and illicit trafficking.
Reaffirming their commitment to carry out coordinated search and rescue operations, both sides noted that that regular communication on the hotline had significantly brought down incidents of fishermen's arrest during the last nine months.
The discussions also encompassed issues pertaining to violation of Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) by fishermen and procedures for their repatriation along with their boats.
The high-level talks were part of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by two sides in 2005 where they agreed to meet once a year alternately in India or in Pakistan to review the progress of the MoU.
Source-ANI
LIN/J
