India, Pak begin talks on nuclear CBMs

New Delhi, oct 19 (UNI) A day after agreeing to continue with the ceasefire, India and Pakistan began talks here today on Nuclear Confidence-Building Measures (CBMs) for reducing the risk of nuclear accidents.

The two countries which possess nuclear weapons, are likely to disscuss measures to boost confidence in each other and prevent any misunderstanding that may spark off a nuclear misadventure between them.

Both countries also exchange lists of nuclear installations in either country every year.

Officials of the two countries met today and after exchanging pleasantries, began the talks. The Indian side is led by Mr K C Singh, Joint Secretary in the External Affairs Ministry, while the Pakistan delegations is headed by Mr Khalid Aziz Babar, Additional Secretary (UN and EC), of the Pakistani Foreign Ministry.

The Indian delegation also includes representatives from the Defence Ministry, Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), National Security Council Secretariat and the DRDO.

The two sides held the fourth round of the Expert-Level Dialogue yesterday on Conventional CBMs. They reaffirmed commitment to upholding the ceasefire and reviewed the implementation of the existing CBMs.

On Monday, the two countries will hold the second meeting of the Joint Anti-Terrorism Mechanism.

UNI