Daily Times

NEW DELHI –Even as Pakistan and India are embroiled in a fresh war of words over the ceasefire violations and Gurdaspur terror attack, decks are being cleared for a meeting of the national security advisers in New Delhi on August 23 and 24, the Indian media reported on Sunday.

On Sunday, Adviser on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz said that Pakistan has received a proposal from India for a meeting between the security advisers of the two countries on August 23-24. According to the media, Pakistan is likely to accept the dates for the meeting proposed byIndia.

The recent ceasefire violations and July 27 terror attack in India’s Punjab had cast a shadow on the meeting, but the Indian government sources said that the two sides were inclined to take forward the peace process, which includes the adviser-level talks that were agreed at the meeting of the two prime ministers at Ufa in July.

Quoting sources, the Indian media reported that the security advisers – during their meeting scheduled in New Delhi for August 23 and 24 – were expected to raise the issue of the Samjauta Express blasts case and ceasefire violations which Pakistan has been raising besides recent Punjab terror attack.

The release of fishermen was part of the agreement in Ufa. In the past week, India has announced easing of visa norms for pilgrims from Pakistan, and a meeting between the Pakistan Rangers and India’s Border Security Force – alsostipulated at the Ufa agreement – hasalso been scheduled.