Pakistan, India agree to resolve outstanding maritime issues

Pakistan maritime delegation visits India for a meeting with the Indian coast guards. (Photo courtesy: Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

• Pakistan and India held dialogue after a gap of two years to discuss maritime security issues.
• “Security of marine limitation is included in our obligation,” said Rehman.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and India have agreed to resolve by negotiation all outstanding maritime issues, Pakistan said on Wednesday.
“The consensus was reached at a meeting between Pakistan Maritime Security Agency team and Director General (Indian Coast Guard) ICG Rajendra Singh at a meeting in New Delhi,” Pakistan’s press information department said in a brief statement.
After a gap of two years, Pakistan and India held dialogue this week where a Pakistani delegation led by Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) chief, Rear Admiral Zaka Ur Rehman, visited India.
A day earlier, on Tuesday, Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMO) of Pakistan and India agreed to undertake “sincere measures” to improve the prevailing security situation on the Line of Control.
According to the Pakistan military media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), a special hotline contact was established between the two DGMOs and they agreed to fully implement the cease-fire understanding of 2003 in letter and spirit.
“These are significant developments and these small gestures can play a part in defusing tensions,” Defense Analyst Lt. Gen. (Retired) Amjad Shoaib told Arab News.
“India is under pressure because of the uprising in its part of Kashmir and apparently New Delhi realized that it was important to take steps to improve ties with Islamabad.”
For the first time, arch rivals Pakistan and India will also be part of a multi-nation counterterror exercise, “Peace Mission 2018,” to be held in Russia in November this year under the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
“We are prepared to share our experiences with other SCO member states and work together against this common enemy. We hope that SCO will provide an opportunity for both countries to interact for peace and security in the region,” the Pakistan Foreign Office said.
The Pakistani delegation visiting New Delhi reiterated that Islamabad will “promote the passion of well-wishing.”
“Security of marine limitation is included in our obligation,” said Rehman.
The meeting was held under the provision of a Memorandum of Understanding which was signed between PMSA and the ICG in 2005.