<p>Pakistan and India are mulling a proposal for a meeting of the chiefs of their intelligence agencies as part of a series of confidence-building measures to build goodwill, according to a media report today.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The proposal is among "numerous mechanisms" being explored to reduce the trust deficit between the two neighbours, The Express Tribune quoted official sources as saying.<br /><br />It quoted a source as claiming that the US was instrumental in persuading the two countries to discuss the possibility of a meeting between the heads of the Research and Analysis Wing and Inter-Services Intelligence.<br /><br />A Pakistani official was quoted as saying that several proposals, including regular interactions between the security agencies of the two countries, were on the table.<br /><br />"But it is too early to say anything at this stage," the official said, referring to the probability of talks between the ISI and RAW chiefs.<br /><br />Another unnamed official was quoted as saying that some Western powers, particularly the US, were keen on increased coordination and discussions between the two countries.<br /><br />The official said the US wants to ensure that there is no deterioration in ties between India and Pakistan during the next few years as the US-led coalition pulls out of Afghanistan.<br /><br />"Against this backdrop, these players believe that a meeting between the two countries at the security agencies-level can go a long way to achieve that objective," said the official.<br />The report said no one was willing to officially comment on the matter due to the sensitivity of the issue.<br /><br />A security official even expressed ignorance about the development. "We are not privy to any such proposal," the official said. The proposal, "if materialised, could mark the beginning of a new phase in the relationship between the two countries", the report contended.<br /><br />Pakistan first made efforts to set up a meeting between the RAW and ISI chiefs in the aftermath of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, sources told PTI.<br /><br />At that time, India's defence attache and journalists were sounded out about the proposal by Pakistani intelligence operatives. However, Indian government had several reservations about the Pakistani proposal, the sources said.<br /><br />For one, the RAW is under civilian control while the ISI is part of the Pakistani military set-up. The sources further pointed out that while the RAW acts in an advisory capacity to the Indian government, the ISI was part of the decision-making apparatus for Pakistan's security and foreign policies.<br /><br />Immediately after the Mumbai attacks, then premier Yousuf Raza Gilani announced that the ISI chief would visit India to help authorities in the investigation of the incident.<br />Later the same day, the decision was reversed after an adverse reaction from the security establishment.</p>
<p>Pakistan and India are mulling a proposal for a meeting of the chiefs of their intelligence agencies as part of a series of confidence-building measures to build goodwill, according to a media report today.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The proposal is among "numerous mechanisms" being explored to reduce the trust deficit between the two neighbours, The Express Tribune quoted official sources as saying.<br /><br />It quoted a source as claiming that the US was instrumental in persuading the two countries to discuss the possibility of a meeting between the heads of the Research and Analysis Wing and Inter-Services Intelligence.<br /><br />A Pakistani official was quoted as saying that several proposals, including regular interactions between the security agencies of the two countries, were on the table.<br /><br />"But it is too early to say anything at this stage," the official said, referring to the probability of talks between the ISI and RAW chiefs.<br /><br />Another unnamed official was quoted as saying that some Western powers, particularly the US, were keen on increased coordination and discussions between the two countries.<br /><br />The official said the US wants to ensure that there is no deterioration in ties between India and Pakistan during the next few years as the US-led coalition pulls out of Afghanistan.<br /><br />"Against this backdrop, these players believe that a meeting between the two countries at the security agencies-level can go a long way to achieve that objective," said the official.<br />The report said no one was willing to officially comment on the matter due to the sensitivity of the issue.<br /><br />A security official even expressed ignorance about the development. "We are not privy to any such proposal," the official said. The proposal, "if materialised, could mark the beginning of a new phase in the relationship between the two countries", the report contended.<br /><br />Pakistan first made efforts to set up a meeting between the RAW and ISI chiefs in the aftermath of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, sources told PTI.<br /><br />At that time, India's defence attache and journalists were sounded out about the proposal by Pakistani intelligence operatives. However, Indian government had several reservations about the Pakistani proposal, the sources said.<br /><br />For one, the RAW is under civilian control while the ISI is part of the Pakistani military set-up. The sources further pointed out that while the RAW acts in an advisory capacity to the Indian government, the ISI was part of the decision-making apparatus for Pakistan's security and foreign policies.<br /><br />Immediately after the Mumbai attacks, then premier Yousuf Raza Gilani announced that the ISI chief would visit India to help authorities in the investigation of the incident.<br />Later the same day, the decision was reversed after an adverse reaction from the security establishment.</p>