Islamabad: Foreign Secretary Shashank today (Feb 18, 2004) met his Pakistani counterpart Riaz Khokar in Islamabad to finalise the agenda, structure and timeframe for commencing the composite dialogue on Jammu and Kashmir, peace and security, terrorism and other issues.

Joint Secretaries of the two countries yesterday (Feb 17) reached a "broad understanding" on the timeframe and modalities for resumption of the composite dialogue to resolve all outstanding issues, including Jammu and Kashmir.

The basis for the talks is in line with the 1997 agreement between the two countries when they agreed on an eight-point agenda to be taken up at two levels.

It was then agreed that Jammu and Kashmir and peace and security, including confidence-building measures would be discussed by the Foreign Secretaries.

The other six issues were to be taken up at the Secretary and other levels. These include Siachen at the level of Defence Secretaries, Tulbul Navigation Project (Secretaries, Water and Power), Sir Creek (Additional Secretary Defence/Surveyor General).

Terrorism and drug trafficking will be discussed with the Home/Interior Secretaries, economic and commercial cooperation (Commerce Secretaries) and promotion of friendly exchanges in various fields (Secretaries, Culture).