NEW DELHI, Dec 15 — India today agreed to consider a Sri Lankan request for a meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) after three months during which the technical committees of the Association would prepare the agenda.

The SAARC issue figured at the talks between the visiting Sri Lankan Foreign Minister, Mr Laxman Kadirgamar and the External Affairs Minister, Mr Jaswant Singh.

Both sides agreed that the technical committees meetings of the SAARC, that would be held over next three months should continue.

“On the strength of the outcome of their work, which would provide an agenda, the possibility of a standing committee could be considered”, a spokesman of the Ministry of External Affairs said here.

During discussions, New Delhi also expressed concern at firing on its fishermen by Sri Lankan patrolling teams and asked Colombo to ensure that such incidents were avoided.

Mr Kadirgamar made a courtesy call on the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee.

The two foreign ministers discussed the problems of fishermen from both countries and highlighted the humanitarian aspect of the problem faced by the poor people for whom fishing was the only means of living.

They agreed that the issue should be dealt with in a spirit of compassion and understanding, a spokesman said.

The two sides agreed that all pending cases of fishermen in custody should be expedited.

India yesterday ruled out the possibility of an early SAARC summit on the ground that there was no consensus for this move.

“Such a summit can take place at an appropriate time when all parties to the SAARC Charter take a unanimous view on it,” it was officially stated.

The last summit to be held in Kathmandu in November last was postponed after India decided not to take part if Pakistan, under military ruler Gen Pervez Musharraf, attended the summit.

New Delhi has condemned the military regime for removing legally-elected Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

The two sides discussed progress in the implementation of the India-Sri Lanka free trade agreement and in the activities of India-Sri Lanka foundation.

They expressed satisfaction at the “excellent” state of bilateral relations between the two countries.