The fourth round of Pakistan-India Expert Level Dialogue on Nuclear Confidence Building Measures was held in Islamabad on 25-26 April 2006. The Pakistan delegation was led by Mr. Tariq Osman Hyder, Additional Secretary (United Nations), Ministry of Foreign
Affairs. Mr. K.C. Singh, Additional Secretary (International Organizations), Ministry of External Affairs, led the Indian delegation to the talks. The visiting Indian delegation also called on the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Makhdum Khusro Bakhtyar.
The two sides held discussions in a cordial and constructive atmosphere, in the framework of the Lahore MoU of 1999. As mandated by Foreign Secretaries the two sides continued consultations on security concepts and nuclear doctrines to develop measures for
confidence building. They reiterated their desire to keep working towards further elaboration and implementation of Nuclear CBMs within the framework of the Lahore MoU, with the objective of promoting a stable environment of peace and security between the
two countries.
The two sides expressed their satisfaction on the signing of the Agreement on Pre-Notification of Flight Testing of Ballistic Missiles and the operationalization of the hotline link between the two Foreign Secretaries. These measures are, inter alia, intended
to prevent misunderstanding and reduce risks relevant to nuclear issues. The two sides expressed their satisfaction on the signing of the Agreement on Pre-Notification of Flight Testing of Ballistic Missiles and the operationalization of the hotline link between
the two Foreign Secretaries. These measures are, inter alia, intended to prevent misunderstanding and reduce risks relevant to nuclear issues. The two sides expressed their satisfaction on the signing of the Agreement on Pre-Notification of Flight Testing
of Ballistic Missiles and the operationalization of the hotline link between the two Foreign Secretaries. These measures are, inter alia, intended to prevent misunderstanding and reduce risks relevant to nuclear issues.
The two sides held detailed discussions on the draft text of an agreement, the objective of which is to reduce the risk from accidents relating to nuclear weapons, and agreed to work towards its finalization.
Both sides discussed modalities for further securing the Foreign Secretaries hotline.
Both sides agreed that future periodic Expert Level talks on Nuclear CBMs would discuss, review and monitor the implementation of Nuclear CBMs as called for by the Lahore MoU of 1999. They also agreed to report the progress made in the present round of the
talks to the respective Foreign Secretaries who will decide on the date and venue of the next Expert Level meeting on Nuclear CBMs.
Islamabad
April 26, 2006