A seven member delegation from India, led by Shri Pradip Baijal, Special Secretary, Ministry of Power is in Pakistan for discussion on purchase of power by India from Pakistan. Following is the text of the Joint Press Statement issued at Islamabad yesterday:

Technical-level discussions were held between Pakistan and India, on the issue of Export of Power to India, in Islamabad on November 25-26, 1998. The Indian delegation was led by Shri Pradip Baijal, Special Secretary, Ministry of Power, Government of India and Pakistan delegation by Syed Ibrahim Shah, Snior Joint Secretary, Ministry of Water and Power, Government of Pakistan.

The Indian delegation called on HE Gohar Ayub Khan, Minister of Water and Power, Government of Pakistan on November 25. In the course of discussions, the Pakistan delegation indicated availability of surplus power up to 2000 MW which could be exported to India at least till the year 010 and possibly even beyond. Since transfer of this power would require detailed system studies and setting up of a large transmission network, it was felt that nitially study should be restricted to establish interconnection facilities which can be executed in the short term to transmit 400-500 MW power to India. Possible echnical alternatives were examined.

It was assessed that the transmission lines for the purpose, on the Indian and Pakistani sides could be constructed in about six months from the date of ommercial agreement between GOP and GOI.

It was agreed that the next round of discussions would be held in New Delhi on mutually convenient dates for consideration of an in-principle agreement on the ower export possibility identified for the short term and subject to conclusion of such an agreement, commercial discussions could follow. Export of bulk power in the long term was also discussed and the Indian delegation suggested possible points of interconnection in Northern and Western egions of India. It was decided that various technical aspects in this regard would be examined".