The CBM will cover information exchange and expertise sharing in the peaceful use of nuclear technology, security.
In a significant breakthrough, India and Pakistan have agreed to discuss the Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) in the nuclear field.
The two sides reached an understanding during the just concluded foreign secretary talks in Islamabad. The CBM will cover information exchange and expertise sharing in the peaceful use of nuclear technology. According to well placed foreign office sources in Islamabad, the proposals put across by Pakistan will form the agenda for deliberations between experts. The meeting schedule for the experts, who are working on the project, is being worked out.
The CBM will also have a similar arrangement for nuclear safety for the two countries’ respective civilian nuclear facilities. Sources said India emphasised it is ramping up security of its nuclear programme by inducting a nuclear regulatory authority. The Indian side expressed the hope that Pakistan would also strengthen its nuclear security through national-level measures. Pakistan is said to have proposed ideas on disarmament.
Another CBM under discussion will bind the two countries to notify each other in case of any nuclear accident, and share information of any nuclear risk. The non-deployment of ballistic missiles would also cover the strategic arrangement between the two countries.
India was initially reluctant to formalise the proposal, terming it the domain of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and its national endeavour, but Pakistan has successfully persuaded the Indians to discuss the proposals.
The infamous four point formula chalked out by former Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf for the solution to the Kashmir dispute was not referred to during the talks. Pakistan foreign secretary Salman Bashir will submit his report on the talks to the government next week; the talks covering eight segments have been placed as agenda items.
Incidentally, no tangible progress could be reported on the question of Siachen, Sir Creek and the water dispute between Pakistan and India. India in fact has hardened its stance on the Siachen Glacier issue.
A proposal for the exchange of military bands and the holding of a seminar by Pakistan National Defence University and its Indian countertop institution as a mutual exercise fizzled out since it lacked seriousness, sources said.
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