Joint Press Statement

The Secretary-level talks on Promotion of Friendly Exchanges in Various Fields under the Fourth Round of the Pakistan-India Composite Dialogue was held in Islamabad on 28-29 June 2007. The Pakistan delegation was led by Mr. Salim Gul Sheikh, Secretary, Ministry of Culture and the Indian delegation was headed by Mr. Badal K. Das, Secretary, Department of Culture, Ministry of Tourism & Culture.

2. The talks were held in a friendly and cordial atmosphere. The two delegations reviewed the implementation of various proposals exchanged during the Third Round of talks in New Delhi in 2006.

3. The two sides also made a number of proposals for promoting cooperation in the fields of Art and Culture, Archeology, Sports, Youth Affairs, Traditional Systems of Medicine, Education, Information and Media, Tourism and Visits to Religious Shrines.

4. The two sides discussed a Programme of Friendly Exchanges between the two countries for the period 2007-2009, and agreed to work towards its expeditious implementation.

5. The Indian delegation also called on Dr. G. G. Jamal, Minister for Culture.

Islamabad,

29 June, 2007