Pakistan and India on Monday opened their two-day talks on conventional and nuclear CBMs with discussions on vital proposals, including removal of weapons along the Line of Control (LoC) in the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir and increase in the cross-LoC trade and travel, return of citizens who inadvertently cross the border and betterment in advance notification mechanism of military exercises. Senior officials from the rival nuclear neighbours will deliberate today (Tuesday) on important nuclear CBMs such as inclusion of “cruise missile tests in the advance notification pact on missile tests”, which currently encompasses ballistic missile tests.The other nuclear CBM that is likely to be taken up for discussion is cooperative arrangement between the two countries for dealing with Fukushima-like crisis, which occurred in Japan a few months ago. “India is also expected to urge Pakistan again for ‘no-first-nuclear-use pledge’, but it is unlikely to be accepted by Islamabad,” said a Pakistani diplomat, seeking anonymity. He said a 10-member Indian delegation was taking part in the talks as part of the bilateral dialogue process. “Joint Secretary in charge of Pakistan desk in the India’s External Affairs Ministry, YK Sinha will lead the Indian side at the talks on conventional CBMs. It will be followed by talks on nuclear CBMs. This is the first meeting of the Joint Working Group on nuclear and conventional CBMs in over four years, though other officials, including the two foreign secretaries, have discussed these issues in recent meetings held in the two capitals. The diplomat said that on Monday, the officials from two sides had candid discussions on vital conventional CBMs, like a pact on removal of weapons from the LoC and steps to increase the cross-Line of Control trade and travel. “Moreover, there were talks on proposals such as return of citizens of the two states, who cross the border inadvertently and betterment of advance notification mechanism of military exercises by the two sides,” the diplomat said. Pakistan and India are holding these vital talks on conventional and nuclear CBMs a few days ahead of an exchange of lists of their nuclear installations and facilities on January 1 under “Agreement on the Prohibition of Attack Against Nuclear Installations and Facilities”. The nuclear neighbours signed this agreement on December 31, 1988 and both countries exchange their lists every year on January 1.
