India, Pakistan likely to clinch missile test deal
Indo-asian News Service, New Delhi
India and Pakistan are likely to formalise an agreement on advance notification of missile tests and cement understanding on other confidence building measures (CBMs) to deal with nuclear emergencies when the two sides meet for two-day talks beginning today in the capital city.The draft agreement on pre-flight testing of missiles is ready and was discussed extensively at the last round of bilateral talks on nuclear CBMs in Islamabad last year. New Delhi had sought more time to reflect on the text proposed by Pakistan on the agreement of providing prior notification of missile tests. The bilateral talks would deal with proposals for the establishment of a hotline between the two foreign secretaries, upgradation of the existing hotline between the Pakistani and Indian directors general of military operations (DGMOs) and exchange of nuclear doctrines between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. The two sides will also explore the proposal of a nuclear restraint regime and the setting up of nuclear risk reduction centres during discussions that are aimed at reducing the risk of accidental or unauthorised use of nuclear weapons. Difficult questions such as the deployment, mating, targeting and de-alerting of nuclear weapons are also likely to figure in the talks. Meera Shankar, Additional Secretary (UN) in the external affairs ministry, will lead the Indian side, whereas Additional Secretary Tariq Osman Hyder will head the Pakistani delegation. Despite the ups and downs in their bilateral relations, both the countries adhere to an agreement on non-attack of each other's nuclear installations and exchange a list of nuclear installations on January 1 every year. The two sides also signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on nuclear CBMs during the visit of then Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee's 1999 visit to Lahore. This time around, the focus will be on practical and substantive steps to establish nuclear confidence in the subcontinent. "We should formalise an agreement on advance notification on missile testing. We should also exchange information on nuclear doctrines. Islamabad has so far maintained an ambiguous stand on its nuclear doctrine," veteran diplomat G Parthasarathy said. He said Islamabad is becoming more realistic as Kashmir is no longer seen internationally as a flash point. He, however, didn't see the proposal of a minimum nuclear deterrence as being either practical or viable.
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