ISLAMABAD, 29 May 2005 — Pakistan and India yesterday put forward their proposals to resolve the Sir Creek estuary dispute at the end of the first day of their two-day talks here.
A Pakistani official said: “Both sides exchanged some proposals.”
A joint press statement is expected to be issued today at the end of the talks.
Rear Adm. Ahsanul Haq, Pakistan’s additional secretary of defense, led his country at the talks while Surveyor-General Maj. Gen. Gopal Rao led the Indian team.
Before the talks, Haq said: “We are hopeful and going into talks with a positive attitude and an open mind and open heart.”
Agreeing with Haq, Rao said: “We have come here to resolve the issues.”
Officials from the neighboring countries have met several times to demarcate the border, but a solution has been elusive. The last round of talks on Sir Creek — which borders India’s Gujarat state and Pakistan’s Sindh province — was held in Delhi in August 2004 and ended without any agreement.
“Let’s hope for the best,” said Rao, in reply to a query whether they were aiming at an agreement “to continue the talks.”
