Maritime dialogue resumes

Maritime dialogue resumes

News

1. Recently, the heads of maritime security agencies of India and Pakistan met after a gap of two years.

Important Facts:

2. Meeting is considered as an efforts to improve India-Pakistan relations in recent months after the restarting of the Track II Neemrana Dialogue in April.
3. The dialogue is held annually as per the provisions of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the two agencies in 2005.
4. Last year India had refused to participate in the talks following the controversy over the arrest of former Indian Navy officer Kulbhushan Jadhav by Pakistani agencies.
5. During the meeting both the countries agreed to work on improving exchange of information regarding fishermen apprehended by each other.
6. India has reiterated the need for instituting Standard Operation Procedures (SOP) for immediate release and repatriation of fishermen.
7. India has voice for the safety and humanitarian approach for fisherman who accidentally crossed the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL).
8. To validate the SOPs for efficient conduct of rescue of distressed vessels/crew at sea, the two agencies also agreed to “conduct search and rescue communications exercises” between the rescue coordination centres.
9. India – Pakistan have agreed to collaborate in preservation and protection of marine environment
10. Both country have also agreed to “explore opportunities for cooperation in the field of oil spill response at sea which is aligned with the MoU signed recently with the South Asian Cooperative Environment Programme (SACEP).