Nuke talks: CBMs in the bag

Despite differences, the two nuclear neighbours agreed on a slew of proposals regarding nuke CBMs which may be declared on Sunday.

Despite differences, India and Pakistan on Saturday moved towards setting up some sort of mechanism to infuse greater confidence on nuclear issues.

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The two nuclear neighbours agreed on a slew of proposals regarding nuclear CBMs which may be announced on Sunday.

The two sides reportedly agreed to reach an arrangement on advance notification of ballistic missile tests and to upgrade existing links in order to reduce the risk of accidental use of nuclear weapons. "There was broad consensus on setting up a hotline to ensure secure and regular communication. However, the level at which the hotline would exist is still being negotiated," sources told the Hindustan Times.

Also on the agenda were regular discussions on nuclear issues. And in what may be called a departure from the past, India and Pakistan agreed to have coordinated positions on disarmament issues at international forums such as the UN and to discuss these issues regularly. Sources said both sides demonstrated "flexibility" in the expert-level talks that lasted over four hours.

While there was some amount of give and take, there were some issues the two countries couldn't agree on.

The Pakistani delegation reportedly insisted on the insertion of a strategic restraint regime and strategic stability formulation that wasn't acceptable to the Indian side.

But on the whole, both parties approached the meeting positively and the outcome wasn't disappointing, said a Foreign Office statement. "Talks were held in a cordial and constructive atmosphere. Both sides approached the talks in a positive framework, aimed at taking the process forward, thereby making them result-oriented."

Sources also said that apart from the expert-level talks, there were subsequent meetings with external affairs minister K. Natwar Singh, national security advisor J.N. Dixit and foreign secretary Shashank.