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Pakistan, India agree on N-hotline, missile tests

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamabad, Aug 7, IRNA
Pakistan - India
The India-Pakistan Expert Level Dialogue held on Nuclear Confidence Building Measures in New Delhi on August 5-6 agreed on establishing nuclear hotline and notification of missile tests, it was officially announced here.

The two sides held wide-ranging discussions in a cordial and constructive atmosphere, including on their respective security concepts and nuclear doctrines, a Foreign Office statement said.

This round of discussions was the third meeting held between India and Pakistan at the level of experts on the subject of nuclear CBMs, under the Composite Dialogue process.

"The two sides reached an understanding on the proposed Agreement on Pre-Notification of Flight Testing of Ballistic Missiles." 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.

"The experts have jointly recommended the agreed text of the proposed agreement to the foreign secretaries of India and Pakistan for formalization."
The two sides emphasized the importance of early operationalization of the hotline link proposed to be established between the foreign secretaries, through their respective Foreign Offices, to prevent misunderstandings and reduce risks relevant to nuclear issues.

It was agreed that the hotline link will be established in September 2005.

The two sides also agreed to report the progress made in the present round of the talks to the respective Foreign Secretaries, who will decide on the date and venue of the next Expert Level meeting on Nuclear CBMs, according to the statement.

The delegation of Pakistan was led by Mr. Tariq Osman Hyder, Additional Secretary (UN & EC), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Indian delegation was led by Ms. Meera Shankar, Additional Secretary (UN), Ministry of External Affairs.

The visiting Pakistani delegation also called on the Foreign Secretary Shri Shyam Saran.

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