Pakistan and India on Saturday reached an understanding on the proposed agreement on pre-notification of flight testing of ballistic missiles. A joint statement issued at the conclusion of two-day talks on nuclear confidence-building measures (CBMs) said: "The experts have jointly recommended the agreed text of the proposed agreement to foreign secretaries of India and Pakistan for formalisation".
The two sides emphasised the importance of early operationalisation of the hotline link proposed to be established between foreign secretaries through their respective foreign offices to prevent misunderstandings and reduce risks relevant to nuclear issues, the statement said, adding it was agreed that the hotline link will be established in September this year.
The Indian side also handed over a draft of proposed agreement to reduce the risk of incidental or unauthorised use of nuclear weapons under their respective control.
The statement said the present round of discussions is the third meeting held between India and Pakistan at experts level on the subject of nuclear CBMs, under the composite dialogue process.
The two sides continued to hold wide-ranging discussions in a cordial and constructive atmosphere including on their respective security concepts and nuclear doctrines.
The Pakistan delegation was led by Tariq Osman Hyder, additional secretary, ministry of foreign affairs. While Indian side was led by Meera Shankar, additional secretary, external affairs ministry.
The joint statement was released at an interaction with the crowded media at South Block.
The two sides reached understanding on the proposed agreement on pre-notification of flight testing of ballistic missiles, the statement said, adding the proposed agreement commits both sides to pre-notify in a structured format flight testing of ballistic missiles with the objective of enhancing mutual confidence and engendering predictability and transparency of intent.
In pursuance of the MoU of February 21, 1999, which inter alia provided for undertaking national measures to reduce risks of accident or unauthorised use of nuclear weapons under their respective control, the Indian side presented a draft of such a proposed agreement.
The two sides emphasised importance of early operationalisation of the hotline link proposed to be set up between foreign secretaries to prevent misunderstanding and reduce risks relevant to nuclear issues.
In this connection, discussion on related technical parameters were held, the statement said, adding details about implementation and testing schedules were exchanged.
The statement further said Pakistan and India also agreed to report the progress made in the present round of talks to respective foreign secretaries, who will decide on the date and venue of the next experts level meeting on nuclear CBMs.
In a joint interaction with the media, Tariq Osman Hyder along with his Indian counterpart, Meera Shankar, said this was third round of talks and "one of the main issues was to try to finalise pre-notification of flight testing of ballistic missiles agreement, which we have done".
We are recommending to our foreign secretaries. It is a good step. Pakistan and India are nuclear states. We are living side by side. We have to evolve modalities for confidence building for nuclear restraint and for the resolution of all disputes between us. And, therefore, every step in this helps and pre-notification agreement is certainly a step in the right direction.
Appreciating the Indian side, Tariq Osman said both the sides were able to have certainly very intensive discussion and the important thing is the result to have an agreement.
Hyder further said the hotline link between foreign secretaries of the two countries will be in operation next month (September) and also between the two Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs), adding: "I think that is also a very good step."
There are of course many other issues in confidence building, which "we should look at, both in strategic sphere and conflict resolution and in the conventional field," he added.
Hyder said: "We have already come with really specific ideas on non-aggression doctrines and defensive doctrines and along with cease-fire. We will come up with these things and discuss them."
He said: "We are hoping that we will have equally good progress at the talks on conventional CBMs on August 8. We are looking forward to another round of result-oriented talks on Monday."
Leader of the Indian delegation Meera Shankar said: "We had very fruitful discussions. We have reached an understanding on the text of the agreement on the pre-notification of the flight testing of ballistic missiles."
She further said: "We will be recommending this agreement to our foreign secretaries for adoption. Let me say that it has been very constructive, positive and purposeful meeting and we hope to continue this in future."
"We have also agreed to operationalise hotlines between two foreign secretaries and upgrade ' hotlines of the Director Generals of Military Operations by September this year.
"So those links will also be in place and the Indian side has handed over an agreement on preventing misunderstandings and reducing risks relevant to nuclear issues. So we have handed over the draft agreement to Pakistan and we hope to continue our engagement in this field," she added.
Comments
Comments are closed.