Pakistan, India agree to survey disputed estuary

Pakistan and India agreed yesterday to conduct a joint survey of a disputed estuary on their border, the latest step in a tentative peace process between the nuclear-armed rivals.

The agreement on the survey of the Sir Creek, that flows into the Arabian sea between the Pakistani province of Sindh and the Indian state of Gujarat, came after two days of talks between military officials in the Pakistani city of Rawalpindi.

Pakistan's Ministry of Defence said the talks were cordial and technical details of the survey had been worked out amicably.

"It was agreed to commence the joint survey from January 15, 2007," the ministry said in a statement. The dispute over the 100 km long estuary has hampered exploration for oil and gas and led to the detention of hundreds of fishermen from the two countries. Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, who has called for compromise over the core dispute with India over the Himalayan region of Kashmir, said this month the Sir Creek dispute "can be resolved expeditiously with courage".

India and Pakistan have fought three wars since their independence from Britain in 1947 and nearly went to war a fourth time in 2002.

Relations have improved since they launched a peace process in early 2004. Diplomatic, sporting and transport links have been increased but the neighbours have yet to make any tangible progress on their central dispute over Kashmir.