Islamabad: After recent sparring on Kashmir, Foreign Secretaries of India and Pakistan are scheduled to hold substantive talks on the vexed issue during their second round of composite dialogue process to be held on December 23 and 24.

Pakistan has accepted the dates of December 23 and 24 suggested by India for the Foreign Secretaries meeting to formally kick-start the second round of Composite Dialogue to discuss Kashmir and seven other issues, Pakistan Foreign Office spokesman Masood Khan told reporters in Islamabad today (Nov 29, 2004).

The second round meeting of the Foreign Secretaries is scheduled to be held in Islamabad as the first round was conducted in New Delhi, but "we need to confirm where the talks will be held," Khan said.

The Foreign Secretaries would also fix the schedule for official-level talks on seven other issues, which included, Siachen, Wullar Barriage, Sir Creek, terrorism and Drug Trafficking, Economic and Commercial Cooperation and promotion of Friendly Exchange in various fields.

Replying to a question Khan hoped the second round of Composite Dialogue Process would produce results.

To another question whether the two countries managed to make progress on any of the eight issues of the Composite Dialogue Process, Khan said, "Talks are continuing. We are yet to achieve a breakthrough but we have a productive engagement to understand each other's perspectives as the talks are being held after several years. That is why we are going to hold Composite Dialogue on all eight agenda items."

Khan said official-level talks of Narcotics Control authorities to be held in New Delhi today and tomorrow have been postponed.

He also said Meeting of Committee of Experts on trade related issues to be held in New Delhi on December 9 and 10 also has been postponed. He, however, did not give reasons for the postponement.

The other round of talks beginning with those between Railway Authorities on the Munabao-Khokhrapar would, however, be held as per schedule.

Railway authorities will meet in Islamabad on December 2-3 in Islamabad followed by Coast Guard officials of the two countries on December 3-4 in New Delhi.

Talks to resolve differences on starting a bus service between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad will be held on December 7-8 in New Delhi, expert-level talks on nuclear and conventional CBMs on December 14-16 at New Delhi and Joint survey of boundary pillars in Sir Creek on December 14-15 at Karachi.