Talks between BSF and Pak Rangers conclude cordially: MEA

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Vikas Swarup said on Friday that the three-day long meet between Border Security Force (BSF) and Pakistan Rangers from July 25 - July 28 concluded with both sides discussing ways to strengthen measures to coordinate border patrolling on the respective sides of the border.

Consensus was also reached to address each other's concerns in a time bound manner and discussions were held on several issues related to ceasefire violations, infiltration and drugs smuggling were.

He said that it was a regular meeting and DG, Pakistan Rangers, (Punjab) accepted the invitation to visit India for the next round of these bi-annual talks.

Swarup added that consensus was reached by both the parties that since the last meeting in Delhi in September 2015, there have been a greater adherence to the cease fire along the International Border.

During the meet, BSF Director General K. K. Sharma also stressed the importance of vigilance against cross-border infiltration to prevent terrorist activities and check smuggling of narcotics.

The BSF delegation was led by the Director General K. K. Sharma, while the Pakistan delegation was led by Director General, Pakistan Rangers (Punjab) Major General Umar Farooq Burki.

The Joint Record of Discussion charting a future route map of cooperation between the two border guarding forces was also signed on Thursday.

The meet comes ahead of Home Minister Rajnath Singh's visit to Pakistan for SAARC Interior Minister and Home Minister conference in Islamabad where he is might hold bilateral talks with his Pakistani counterpart, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan.

The talks may likely include the Kashmir unrest, arrest of Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists and the pending visit of the NIA team to Pakistan.