Pakistan and India agreed to work towards finalising a draft agreement reducing the risk of an accidental nuclear conflict between them at the end of two days of talks on Wednesday.
“The two sides held detailed discussions on the draft text of an agreement, the objective of which is to reduce the risk from accidents relating to nuclear weapons, and agreed to work towards its finalisation,” said a joint statement.
The fourth round of nuclear talks between top foreign-ministry officials was part of a slow-moving peace process launched by the historic rivals in January 2004.
The two sides discussed the draft agreement for the first time, said senior foreign-ministry official Tariq Osman Hyder, who led the Pakistani delegation.
“Progress has been quite rapid in this case. We are optimistic, given the goodwill and flexibility on both sides, that we should be able to narrow whatever differences that exist at this stage,” Hyder told reporters. He said the two sides were likely to finalise the agreement in the next round when the foreign secretaries meet in July.
“India will not be the first to use nuclear weapons. There is absolutely no danger to our friends in Pakistan,” head of the Indian delegation, KC Singh said.
“The danger is not from intent — danger may be from an accident, which is what we are trying to take care of with this agreement,” he said.
Pakistan and India have previously signed an agreement to inform each other in advance about test flights of ballistic missiles. They have also set up a hotline to prevent nuclear misunderstandings.
The two sides also agreed to discuss, review and monitor the implementation of the already agreed confidence-building measures related to nuclear issues, the statement said.
India and Pakistan, who carried out tit-for-tat nuclear test detonations in May 1998, exchange lists of their nuclear installations every year on January 1. — AFP