145;Integrated Attari check-post by 2011146;

Hours before crossing over to Pakistan for secretary-level talks, Union Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta today held a meeting to discuss the long-awaited Central project of a modern border integrated check-post here.

Union Home Secy leaves for talks with counterpart in Pak, expects pro-active cooperation

Hours before crossing over to Pakistan for secretary-level talks, Union Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta today held a meeting to discuss the long-awaited Central project of a modern border integrated check-post ICP here.

The ICP, with latest infrastructure and facilities for visitors and cargos, would be completed by 2011, said Gupta, before leaving for Pakistan to meet his counterpart Syed Kamal Shah in Islamabad on Wednesday. He said India wanted 8220;pro-active cooperation8221; from Pakistan on terrorism and other security issues. He said talks were part of the July 2007 discussions between secretaries in New Delhi and a composite dialogue process that is going on between the two countries for the last about five years.

8220;We are confident and will hold discussion with an open mind,8221; said Gupta, who landed here late last night. 8220;There have been visible improvements in relations. We have a long journey to take together,8221; he added.

He said various new developments had taken place in the last leg of talks and today. 8220;Terrorism is assuming new dimensions with extremists trying to lay hands on lethal biological and chemical weapons in the region,8221; said Gupta.

When asked to specify the issues that would form part of the discussion, he said security matters, including everything from terrorism to drug trafficking, prisoners8217; swapping and visa regulations. 8220;Talks for liberalisation of visas system are on and special provisions to provide on-the-spot visa to senior citizens at the border check-post itself is also being discussed,8221; he said.

On investigations in Malegoan blast case, he said the probe was being undertaken in a professional manner. When quizzed about the internal security, he said they were aware of the new kind of threats from terrorists and 8220;we are preparing our security agencies and police force to deal with it. Even changes in law are required to challenge the new face of terrorism8221;.

Story continues below this ad

He said the government was serious about setting up the National Disaster Response Force to deal with the security challenges.

He paid obeisance at the Golden Temple last night. Punjab Chief Secretary Ramesh Inder Singh, senior officials from the BSF, Customs, Immigration and Intelligence took part in the meeting. Gupta said that Attari-Wagah ICP would be one of its kind, where facilities for goods truck, new customs offices and more immigration passages would be added. The Border Security Force BSF gave Gupta a formal send-off, and he was welcomed by the Pakistan Rangers on the other side.