ISLAMABAD, 25 April 2006 — Pakistan and India are to begin their fresh round of talks on “Reducing the Risk of Nuclear Accidents” today, Foreign Office spokesperson Tasneem Aslam told a press briefing in Islamabad yesterday.
The two countries are engaged in a composite dialogue and talks on nuclear-related issues are part of the whole process. The two-day talks are meant to reduce the risk of accidental war and promote strategic stability. Today’s talks will be followed by a meeting on conventional “confidence-building measures.” The talks on Nuclear Confidence-Building Measures (NCBMs) and Conventional Confidence-Building Measures (CCBMs) beginning in Islamabad today will continue till April 27.
These would be the fourth round of negotiations on nuclear and conventional CBMs under the ongoing peace process.
Aimed at resolving all outstanding disputes between the two South Asian neighbors, the peace process began in February 2004 following years of tensions between Pakistan and India, which brought them on the verge of a full-scale war in December 2001.
“We will approach the talks in a very constructive manner and a positive frame of mind,” spokesperson Tasneem said.
She added Pakistan would like further discussions on a series of proposals it made during the last three rounds of talks on the nuclear and conventional CBMs.
An eight-member delegation headed by K. C. Singh, additional secretary in the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, will hold talks with the Pakistani delegation headed by Tariq Osman Hyder, additional secretary at the Foreign Office. They will discuss issues related to NCBMs.
Another Indian delegation to discuss conventional confidence-building measures will be led by Dilip Sinha, additional secretary at the Indian Ministry of External Affairs.
The talks on nuclear CBMs are being held for the first time after India signed an agreement with the United States on peaceful uses of nuclear energy during President George W. Bush’s visit to New Delhi last March.
Bush had, however, refused to enter into a similar arrangement with Pakistan during his visit to Islamabad on March 4, saying that India and Pakistan are two different countries with different needs and history.
