Islamabad: Top Interior Ministry officials of India and Pakistan have begun two-day talks in Islamabad today (Aug 10, 2004) on terrorism and drug trafficking to discuss a host of issues, including alleged infrastructure of terrorist camps in Pakistan, extradition of hijackers of Indian Airlines plane in 1999 and the accused wanted in connection with Bombay blasts.

An eight-member Indian delegation at the talks is led by Home Secretary Dhirendra Singh while the Pakistan team is led by Tariq Mahmood. Singh is accompanied by a delegation of officials from Home and External Affairs Ministry and Narcotics department.

Ahead of the talks Singh, on his arrival in Islamabad last night, said that the parleys being held after a gap of six years would focus on measures to be taken to deal with terrorism and trafficking in drugs.

He said the dialogue was for creating goodwill, promoting peace and mutual trust between the two countries.

Singh said he had come with an open mind and hoped his visit to Islamabad would lead to progress in efforts to improve relations between India and Pakistan. "We shall take up all the concerned issues when we sit together at the negotiating table".

Ahead of the talks Indian officials have stated that issues like extradition of hijackers of Indian Airlines plane in 1999 as well as the accused in the Bombay blasts and assistance being provided to terrorist groups operating from Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) would figure in the talks.