Pakistan-Indian-Iran Gas
Pakistani and Indian Foreign Ministers Wednesday reiterated their commitment to the Iran-Pakistan-India (IPI) gas pipeline project and had a useful exchange of views in this regard.

Pakistan Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi and his Indian counterpart Pranab Mukharjee renewed their commitment during their talks here.

The two foreign ministers later told a news conference that they would pursue the project as it would benefit the whole region.

"We discussed energy deficiency with special reference to IPI," Qureshi said.

"Pakistan is serious and want to move forward on the project," he said.

"I think both countries would be benefited from the project," the Pakistani Foreign Minister said.

They agreed to the early finalization of the Visa Agreement which will help liberalize the visa regime and facilitate people to people contacts.

They agreed to the need for promoting friendly exchanges.

They decided to increase the frequency of bus services on Muzaffarabad-Srinagar and Rawalakot-Poonch routes from a fortnightly to a weekly basis. They would finalize modalities for intra-Kashmir trade and truck service as early as possible.

They would implement other measures to expand and facilitate travel. A meeting of Working Group on Cross-LoC CBMs would be convened within two months.

It was decided in the meeting that the two Foreign Secretaries will launch the 5th Round of the Composite Dialogue in New Delhi in Mid-July this year.

Both sides reiterated their commitment to fighting terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and re-emphasized the need for effective steps for the complete elimination of the menace.

It was agreed to continue cooperation in the Joint Anti-Terrorism Mechanism whose next meeting would be held in two months.

Both sides agreed to refrain from hostile propaganda.

They welcomed the finalization of an MoU on cooperation between Pakistan's Anti Narcotics Force and Narcotics Control Board of India.