CCS sets agenda ahead of FMs’ Sept meet

Both Singh and Kasuri, who last met on the sidelines of the SAARC council of ministers meet at Islamabad in July, will review the progress achieved after the first round of talks on the eight issues that form the composite dialogue. This will be preceded by a meeting between the two foreign secretaries on September 3 and 4.

While not parting with details, Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee said after the CCS meeting, ‘‘The whole situation and negotiating points were discussed.’’ It is, however, learnt that India will be pressing for forward movement on the slew of confidence building measures (CBMs) it has proposed since the peace process started. In all, India has so far initiated over 70 CBMs in various areas of cooperation.

A draft agreement between the two foreign ministers on the pre-notification of ballistic missile tests has also been prepared following the understanding reached during the negotiations on nuclear CBMs. However, Islamabad is yet to send in its response.

Among the other suggested measures, a key proposal to start a bus service between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad too has not moved ahead despite both sides indicating that they had been in constant touch to remove the hurdles for this CBM to take off.

Both issues will figure prominently during the discussions between Singh and Kasuri. The CCS is said to have reviewed the progress made on some of these key issues apart from discussing ways and means to take the process further in the months ahead.

Mukherjee said the PM would brief the Leader of Opposition while the External Affairs Minister will brief leaders of the ruling UPA before the formal talks take place.

Meanwhile, the CCS which met for about 90 minutes, also discussed the situation in Jammu and Kashmir in view of the PM’s visit to the state on September 14. The CCS was also attended by N.N. Vohra, Centre’s interlocutor on J&K.

The meeting was attended among others by Home Minister Shivraj Patil, and Finance Minister P. Chidambaram.