Pakistan, India sign accords on missile tests, hotline
No progress on Kashmir n Islamabad rejects Delhi’s infiltration charges
By Our Diplomatic Correspondent

ISLAMABAD—Pakistan and India Monday inked an agreement on the pre-notification of Ballistic Missile Tests conducted by either side and for setting up hotline between their coastguards.
Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri and Indian External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh signed the agreement at the Foreign Office following “cordial and constructive” talks. Under the understanding both the countries would provide each other advance notification of flight tests of any surface-to- surface ballistic missile, that they intend to undertake.
India had presented the draft on pre-notification of Ballistic Missiles Test to Pakistan during the first round of Expert Level Talks on Nuclear CBMs in June 2004. The two countries held detailed discussions on December 14, 2004, on the draft agreement on pre-notification of flight testing of ballistic missiles, while the third round of talks were held from August 5-6 this year, where both the sides reached an understanding.
India has also handed over a draft Memorandum of Understanding on measures to reduce the risks of accidental or unauthorised use of nuclear weapons under the control of both countries. The two countries also signed an MoU on establishment of a communication link between the Indian Coast Guard and Pakistan Maritime Security Agency for early exchange of information regarding apprehended fishermen who inadvertently stray into each other’s territories.
Many fishermen from both sides stray into each others territorial waters as the two countries have not yet ratified the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL). The communication link will facilitate the early intimation, and would lead to an early beginning of the process of providing consular access, nationality verification and repatriation. The communication link will also be useful in exchanging information about pollution incidents, search and rescue and pollution control. Both the countries had agreed on immediate intimation of arrests of fishermen made by each country in December 2004.
Foreign Secretary Riaz Muhammad Khan Monday said settlement of Kashmir dispute between Pakistan and India could be possible without keeping “the Line of Control” (LoC) as permanent border or changing it. He stated this while giving briefing here Monday. “Kashmir dispute can be resolved without making LoC as permanent border or change it . But it required seriousness, flexibility and continuity of negotiation”, he said adding other ideas are also on the table for its resolution. He said both foreign ministers reviewed Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) of  both the phases has been held so far between India and Pakistan. “Monday talks have also been held in friendly atmosphere. Foreign ministers have also extended recommendations during their meetings presented by foreign secretaries”, he said, adding Kashmir solution has also been discussed. Both sides will keep dignity and prestige of the talks and will hold friendly atmosphere in this regard.
Riaz Muhammad Khan said that in their one to one meeting in tourist resort of the country, Nathia Gali, Pakistan foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri and Indian Foreign Minister Natwar Singh agreed to take forward the peace talks. “Siachin and Sir Creek issues also came under-discussion and hoped both parties will move ahead on these issues too in their third phase of the talks. We have also desk our ideas regarding Armies withdrawal from the Siachin”, he added.
To a question, Riaz Muhammad Khan said Kashmir had been fully focused in both phases of the negotiation. No question of sidelining it. we will never agree to sideline the core issue between the tow countries. He informed, “we will explore Kashmir resolution while staying in the CBMs”. During the talks, foreign Secretary underscored India demanded to stop cross border infiltration while Pakistan demanded of India to improve human rights situation in the held valley.
He disclosed further steps have been discussed of faith restoration regarding Kashmir dispute in which Muzaffarabad-Srinagar bus and Rawlakot-Ponch bus services have been included. Riaz Muhammad Khan further said joint declaration would be announced today regarding the held talks between both the foreign ministers.
He mentioned President Musharraf and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh have also been agreed in their New York meeting to march ahead talks on Kashmir. He described, “we wanted talks will move ahead on all matters including the core issue of Jammu and Kashmir but adding every thing could not be settled according to our will and desires. Responding to a question, he said Kashmir is part of the CBMs saying Pakistan also wanted to take steps regarding the settlement of Sir Creek and Sia Chen issues.
He believed seriousness imperative for the resolution of Kashmir issue otherwise there was no benefits of the talks. “The lingering issue can be resolved with aspiration of the all the stakeholders. Pakistan insisted Kashmiris to also be included in the CBMs. Bus service and APHC visit to Pakistan is development in this connection”, he added. He said Pakistan would never deviated an inch from its principal stand to resolve the Kashmir issue by accepting LoC as the permanent border. “Kashmiris will never accept this solution, he added.
He underlined militants were not infiltrated from Pakistan to held valley. “Hot Line will be established between both the countries regarding nuclear matter and strategy will be worked out on technical level talks between both India and Pakistan”, he added. He advised formal and informal talks were necessary for the peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue. “Violence inflicted upon the Kashmiris must stop”, he added.
Indian Foreign secretary Shyam Saran has warned cross border infiltration and terror related violence is continuing and a major terror act may derail the ongoing composite dialogue process. “There is no big difference in the stances of both the countries with reference to Kashmir and infiltration. We welcome Pakistan steps to end infiltration but we will have to see ground realities as infiltration and terror related violence are on. If a major incident of terrorism takes place, the composite dialogue process may be derailed”, he said this while addressing a press conference here Monday in Indian Media Centre.
He held both the countries were determined to uproot terrorism. “ We will see if infrastructure of terrorism is dismantled or not. He informed Indian Prime Minister will soon visit Pakistan. Both the countries will work out a solution to Kashmir issue which is acceptable to both. Talks are underway on various options in this connection. We are moving forward under a process and there should be no doubt about it.
He underlined that we should not be impatient for the resolution of Kashmir issue. It is a longer issue and it will take time to be settled. Talks spanning only two years can offer no solution to this issue. The need is there that we should go along with patience and repose trust on each other. India is sincere in taking forward this process, he remarked. About Siachan and Sir Creek issue that both the sides have not reached any pact in this regard. However we are giving priority to find a solution to this issue.
He underscored that talks held between Pakistan and Indian foreign ministers on Monday were very constructive and productive. The second phase of composite dialogue process was reviewed during the talks. He indicated that India, Pakistan joint economic council meeting is going to be held today after 16 years. It is a positive movement forward.
He held that both the foreign ministers were satisfied with the outcome of second phase of talks. The result of second phase talks is better than first phase. The outcome of third phase will be far better. Foreign ministers endorsed the minutes related to third phase of talks between the foreign secretaries of both sides, he told. It will start from January, 2006. Both the sides have agreed that the composite dialogue process will continue under the ongoing format.
“We welcome freeing of prisoners by the both countries. This process will continue in future”, he observed. It was agreed that who are arrested will be given counselor access, he informed. Prisoners who complete their conviction term will be released forthwith, he added. “ We hope the process regarding release of prisoners will continue”, he remarked. India will soon release more 30 Pakistani prisoners. Foreign secretaries of Pakistan and India held talks at technical level, he told. During the talks, the mode for initiation of Lahore Amratsar and Amratsar-Nankana bus service was reviewed. This bus service will soon be launched.
He observed that trade and economic ties between Pakistan and India will be improved which are now growing better. We are using land routes for bilateral trade between both countries. We welcome it. Pakistan should regulate land trade and it will benefit both the countries. He told that made in India fair will be held in November. Visa scheme be simplified in this regard. He hinted that issues including Jammu and Kashmir, security, cross border infiltration figured in composite dialogue. Both the foreign ministers held talks on these issues in Nathia galli. NWFP governor was also present there.
Shyam Saran said he does not know that President general Musharraf and Prime Minister had expressed dissatisfaction over the pace of talks. In fact the talks are moving ahead. Both the sides have expressed satisfaction over composite dialogue process.
He underlined India would not redraw maps. However the Line of Control existing on humanitarian grounds will be softened. Sri-Nagar Muzaffar Abad bus service is a vital step to this direction. We will allow across the LoC trade. Kashmiris families have been allowed to meet. We should head towards the direction where borders become redundant.
He pointed out that during the talks on Monday ideas pertaining to withdrawal of forces from Siachan were discussed and this exercise would continue. He observed that casting of vote by India against Iran in Viana has nothing to do with gas pipeline project. This project was discussed in the talks on Monday. We have appointed consultant who is reviewing its economic aspects, he hinted. He informed that Indian energy minister will soon visit Pakistan. Replying to a question he said that consulates in Karachi and Mumbai will start functioning in January next year. Pakistan has acquired a plot for construction of its consulate in Mumbai. Citing to Siachan and Sir Creek issues, he said that the glass is half filled but not empty on this count.