Nuclear rivals seek to avoid accidental war
Pakistani and Indian officials launched talks today on how to avoid an accidental nuclear war.
It is the second time since June that the two sides have met to discuss their nuclear weapons. India and Pakistan also have launched a broader effort to resolve long-running disputes, including their competing claims over the Himalayan region of Kashmir.
Pakistan Foreign Ministry spokesman Masood Khan said in Islamabad the two sides were discussing “new safeguards to avoid any accidental nuclear war” - including giving advance notification of missile tests.
Both delegations expressed optimism. “We are happy to be in Islamabad,” said Meera Shanker, head of the Indian delegation. “We are in favour of result-oriented talks.”
Although both nations have used missile tests as a form of diplomatic pressure in the past, officials from both sides say the recent tests were not aimed at sending any signals ahead of negotiations.
The two sides already notify each other prior to missile tests, but in the current talks are aiming to formalise an agreement under which they would provide additional details about their tests, such as the range of the missile and the location of the test.
Pakistan became a declared nuclear power in 1998, when it conducted underground nuclear tests in response to those carried out by New Delhi earlier the same month.
Pakistan and India have fought three wars since gaining independence from Britain in 1947.
