In the first such meetings after the Congress-led government took over in New Delhi, Indian officials on Tuesday held talks with their Pakistani counterparts on ways to prevent cross-border drug trafficking and smuggling.

A six-member delegation headed by Director General of Narcotics Control Bureau N K Singh began the two-day  talks with the Pakistani officials led by Khalid Latif,  secretary, Narcotics Control Division.

A lot of significance was being attached to the talks as the two countries held their first parleys on the twin issues way back in 1998.

"Today's talks are being held in a very cordial and congenial atmosphere and this time we expect to make progress on these twin issues which could be mutually beneficial," a Pakistani official said.

He noted that both countries deputed top officials of the concerned divisions to finalise the agenda and work out a
modus-operandi to collaborate.