The two delegations discussed the question of early reestablished of diplomatic relations between their countries. They agreed that each country should be represented by an Ambassador with supporting staff in the capital of the other country. In view of the problems which had been faced in the past in the functioning of their respective diplomatic missions, the two delegations reaffirmed their adherence to the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations 1961 to which they were party and agreed on a basis of reciprocity, to grant each other’s Missions all facilities and courtesies for their normal functioning.
The two delegations reviewed the working of the Indo-Pakistan Trade Agreement of 23 January 1975, and the Shipping Protocol of 15 January 1975. They agreed that in terms of Article 3 of the Trade Agreement, in addition to state trading organisations, the private sector be also enabled, with effect from 15 July 1976, to participate in the trade between the two countries subject to the laws, rules, regulations and procedures in force in their respective countries from time to time.
The two delegations also agreed that the Joint Committee envisaged under Article 9 of Trade Agreement should be constituted immediately to review the working of that Agreement and that the first meeting of the Joint Committee should be held at the Commerce Secretaries level as soon as possible and, in any case, before the end of 1976.
The two sides decided that a further meeting of the respective shipping experts should be held, as early as possible, to review the Protocol on Shipping as provided in Article 22 of that Protocol.
The two delegations reviewed the existing visa agreement for regulating travel between the two countries. They noted that the arrangements envisaged in that agreement were working satisfactorily and required no change.
The two delegations discussed measures for promoting cultural and scientific exchanges as envisaged in the Simla Agreement. They agreed that further discussions on these measure could be undertaken in due course.
The two sides held discussions on the question of the detainees and agreed that this humanitarian issue needed to be resolved expeditiously. They also agreed to make efforts to locate persons still untraced and repatriate them with all possible dispatch in accordance with the existing working arrangements.
The leader of the Indian delagation, His Excellency Shri J. S. Mehta, was received by the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
The Indian delegation warmly thanked the delegation of Pakistan for its hospitality.
Jagat S. Mehta
Foreign Secretary
Ministry of External AffairsGovernment of India Islamabad, May 14, 1976
Agha Shahi
Foreign Secretary
Ministry of External Affairs
Government of Pakistan
