Pakistan has agreed to the proposal for talks between the Indian Coast Guard and the Pakistani Maritime Security Agency to enhance co-operation and called for "deliberations" to work out modalities.

Commenting on the Indian announcement yesterday proposing the setting up of direct communication links between the ICG and the MSA and holding flag meetings twice a year, the Pakistani foreign office spokesman Masood Khan said both moves had already been proposed by Islamabad some time back.

He said such steps could be useful and mitigate the sufferings of fishermen of both countries as a large number on both sides get caught for inadvertently crossing the maritime boundaries.

"It was our strongest desire that all countries, including India, help us to achieve lasting peace in the region," Khan said.

India has proposed that the director or deputy director, operations, at the ICG headquarters establish communication with their counterparts in the MSA headquarters from January 1.

Indo-Pak peace talks: Complete coverage