'India, Pakistan must crack down on drug trade together'

"We have to fight the war against narcotic drugs together. It is a common cause, has no borders and has no political considerations," Major General Nadeem Ahmed, director general of Pakistan's anti-narcotics force, told Press Trust of India.

Indian and Pakistani drug-control officials are holding two days of talks in New Delhi as part of the peace plan called "composite dialogue".

After a half hour meeting with Indian Home Minister Shivraj Patil, Ahmed said both countries need to work on information and intelligence sharing, sting operations and mutual legal assistance to curb the nefarious trade.

"Pakistan and India have to develop confidence as we move ahead. We have to share our best practices in preventing drug smuggling especially that involving heroin," Ahmed said.

Afghanistan's record opium production this year -- more than 1,31,000 hectares (3,23,570 acres) -- was a cause of concern, he said.

Opium from Afghanistan is smuggled into Pakistan and Iran -- the two other nations of the "Golden Crescent" -- and also into India, the official said.

"We have to see what the laws of each country allow. The effort is part of an international exercise to prevent drug smuggling," he added.

Earlier Ahmed, who is leading a five-member delegation, began talks with his Indian counterpart Swaraj Puri. The discussions were due to stretch to Tuesday when the two sides are expected to exchange drafts of an agreement to combat drug smuggling.