Indian, Pakistani officials to hold talks on nuclear CBMs

Islamabad, Apr 24 (UNI) India and Pakistan will begin three-day talks on nuclear and conventional Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) from tomorrow, as part of the ongoing composite dialogue process between the two south Asian countries.

The fourth round of talks on nuclear CBMs will be held for two days starting tomorrow and on April 26, to be followed by a third round of talks on the conventional CBMs on April 27, Pakistan Foreign Office Spokesperson Tasneem Aslam said in a weekly briefing here.

''We will approach the talks in a very constructive manner and a positive frame of mind,'' she said.

Ms Aslam said Pakistan has already tabled several proposals and ''intends to have more proposals'' during the discussion.

In line with the understanding arrived at during the third round in August last year, the two countries have already signed an agreement for pre-notification of flight-testing of ballistic missiles and operationalised the hot line.

Pakistan would also propose a draft agreement on prevention of incidents at sea in order to ensure safety of navigation.

The spokesperson said technical level discussions focused on operational and logistic details of Muzaffarabad-Srinagar truck service and Rawalakot-Poonchh bus service would be held in New Delhi on May 2-3.

Replying to a question, Ms Aslam said that there had been discussion on the avoidance of an accidental nuclear war as it was in the interest of both the countries.

Commenting on a reported statement by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the Siachen dispute, the spokesperson said that Pakistan and India had been discussing the issue.

She hoped the two countries would be able to have some forward movement on the Siachen issue at the Foreign Secretaries level talks. The spokesperson said that Pakistan was in touch with the Indian authorities for the consular access and subsequent release of Pakistanis in the their custody.

She said there are 535 Pakistanis in Indian jails including 476 civilians and 59 fishermen. National status of 131 civilians has already been confirmed while 147 are awaiting consular access.

Similarly, there are 614 Indians in Pakistani prisons including 109 civilians and 505 fishermen. National status of 300 has already been confirmed and consular accessed provided, she added.

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