ISLAMABAD, Feb 17 (UNI) India and Pakistan today reached a "broad understanding" on the modalities and time frame for a composite dialogue on contentious issues between them on the second day of their three-day discussions here.
During the two days of deliberations at joint secretary-level, which concluded this evening, both sides came out with responses to various proposals exchanged yesterday, officials said.
The recommendations of the two-day joint secretary-level discussions will be submitted to the foreign secretaries of the two countries who will meet here tommorow for the third and final round of talks.
Foreign secretary Shashank will have day-long deliberations with his Pakistani counterpart Riaz Khokar to fine-tune the procedure for the composite dialogue between the two countries which will be held at a later stage.
A statement issued by the Pakistan foreign ministry said a broad understanding was reached on the modalities and time frame for commencing the composite dialogue.
Officials said the talks went on well for two days and a broad agreement was reached on all issues which they had been mandated to discuss.
The reports will be submitted to foreign secretaries tomorrow.
The officials said the talks over the past two days focussed mainly on eight issues identified in the June 1997 meeting of the foreign secretaries of the two countries.
The Indian side at the two-days of joint secretary-level talks was led by Arun Singh, joint secretary, PAI, external affairs ministry, while the Pakistani delegation was headed by Jaleel Abbas Jilani, director general, South Asia, in the Pakistani foreign ministry.
In New Delhi, an external affairs ministry spokesman also said that at the two-days of joint secretary-level deliberations, the two sides came out with responses to the various proposals exchanged yesterday.
"A broad understanding was reached on the modalities and time frame for commencement of the composite dialogue.
They (both sides) would be submitting their recommendations to the foreign secretaries for consideration tomorrow," the spokesman added.
