In a positive step forward towards resolving their maritime boundary disute, Indian and Pakistani hydrographers agreed on Saturday to conduct a joint survey of the Sir Creek area, a marshy strip off the Gujarat coast, from January 15.

Officials from both sides worked out 'technical details of the survey in an amicable manner'.

'It was agreed to commence the joint survey from January 15, 2007', said a joint statement issued at the end of the two-day talks at Pakistan's military headquarters in Rawalpindi. It is expected to be completed in 20 days.

The talks were held to 'decide the coordinates for a joint survey of the Sir Creek and adjoining areas without prejudice to the positions of the two countries as well as to simultaneously hold discussions on the Maritime Boundary', the statement said.

An Indian official who attended the talks told PTI that the two sides have successfully finalised the modalities for the survey, which was the second in two years and hopefully the final one.

The official said the two sides also made 'some progress' on the issue of determining the maritime zones off Gujarat and Karachi coasts, which was held up due to the dispute over Sir Creek.

'The two sides also held useful discussions on various options to delimit the maritime boundary. It was agreed to verify the outermost points of coastlines of both countries during the joint survey with regards to the equidistance method', the statement said.

The Indian delegation at the talks was headed by chief hydroprapher of the Navy, Rear Admiral B R Rao and the Pakistani team was led by Major General Jamil-ur-Rehman Afridi.