Saturday, October 1 2005 20:01 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Fresh impetus is expected in the Indo-Pak ties with External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh undertaking a four-day visit from tomorrow (Oct 1, 2005) during which the two countries will sign pacts on pre-notification of missile tests and setting up of phone link between maritime security agencies.

A slew of Confidence-Building Measures (CBMs) will be proposed by him in his talks with Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri. The two countries will revive after 16 years the Joint Commission, which covers issues like visa, consular access to detainees and trade.

Singh is likely to push for signing of an Extradition Treaty and Mututal Legal Assistance Treaty in the backdrop of India's non-implemented demand for handing over of 20 terrorists and criminals from that country.

The issue of continued cross-border terrorism and infiltration, dismantling of the terror infrastructure will be raised by the India side which is also likely to press for liberalization of visa regime, allowing of trade through land route and transit facility for goods.

During Singh's second visit to Pakistan after seven months, the two foreign ministers will review progress made in the two rounds of composite dialogue and outline the course for the third round which will begin in January next year, official sources said.

Singh is also expected to meet Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz.

He will also travel to Karachi where he will meet Sindh Governor and Chief Minister besides visiting the Indian Consulate, which is being renovated for opening.

Agreement on pre-notification of missile tests and setting up of communication link between Indian Coast Guard and Pakistan's Martime Security Agency will be the highlight of the visit.

Another significant development to be witnessed during the trip is revival of the Joint Commission, which covers cooperation in the fields of trade, energy, telecom, security, visa and consular access to nationals of the respective countries detained in the other.

With regard to Consular issue, the two sides are expected to decide on immediate notification of detentions of nationals of the other country, providing consular access within three months and conducting verification during detention period to cut delay in deportation, the sources said.

India will also pursue the proposal of allowing larger number of pilgrims to visit across the border and enlarging the number of shrines that could be visited by the devout of the other country, they said.

With an aim of encouraging cross-border tourism, New Delhi will propose tour packages for Pakistanis and enlist the tour operators from this side who could be entrusted the responsibility to promote exchanges in this area.

Projecting the tremendous trade potential existing between the two neighbours which could convert South Asia into a dynamic economic community, India will press for its exploitation and take up the issue of transit facility for goods through Pakistan which Islamabad has so far been denying.