New Delhi, June 19
Though they did not make much headway at their two-day talks on the Sir Creek issue, the delegations of both India and Pakistan today expressed confidence that they could resolve the maritime dispute given the current state of relationship between the two countries.

“We have understood each other better and are certainly one step ahead. The meeting was held in a very positive and conducive environment,” a source said.

The Indian delegation at the meeting was led by Surveyor General of India Swarna Subba Rao while the Pakistani team was headed by Rear Admiral Farrokh Ahmad, Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Defence.

Even as the two sides reiterated their stated positions, they agreed that they were now in a position to discuss what they could offer each other for finding an amicable settlement of the issue.

Among all the disputes between India and Pakistan, Sir Creek is perhaps the only issue which the two sides consider as 'do-able'.

Sir Creek is a 96-km-long disputed territory between India and Pakistan in the Rann of Kutch marshlands, which opens up into the Arabian Sea. Sir Creek divides the Kutch region of Gujarat in India and the Sindh province of Pakistan.

The creek, which opens up to the Arabian Sea, has been one of the several points of contentions between the neighbours. India has long held that the creek boundary should be in the middle of the estuary while Pakistan claims that the border should lie on the southeast bank.

A joint statement issued at the end of today's talks said: “The two sides discussed the land boundary in the Sir Creek area and also delimitation of the International Maritime Boundary between India and Pakistan.

“They reiterated their desire to find an amicable solution to the Sir Creek issue through sustained and result-oriented dialogue.”

They agreed to hold the next round of the talks on the issue in Pakistan at mutually convenient dates, to be determined through diplomatic channels, the statement added.