Nuke CBM talks fail to make progress

ISLAMABAD/NEW DELHI—The fifth round of Pakistan-India expert level talks on nuclear and missiles related Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) as Part of composite dialogue concluded here on Friday without any conclusion, however, both sides agreed to carry forward the dialogue.
The sixth round in this respect will be held in Federal Capital. During the fifth round of talks, Pakistan delegation was led by Additional Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs Khalid Aziz Babar while the Indian side headed by his Indian counterpart K.C. Singh. Discussion focused on a review of the implementation of existing agreements on CBMs and on disarmament and non proliferation related issues of mutual interest in multilateral forums as provided for in the Lahore Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
In a joint declaration issued by both sides after the talks here on Friday reveals that the talks were held in a cordial and constructive atmosphere. The two sides agreed to meet in Islamabad next to carry forward the dialogue and the process of confidence building in the nuclear and missile areas.
According to the sources, the fifth round was not successful, as both sides were stick to their old stance. The fifth round of Pakistan-India expert level talks on nuclear and missiles related Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) begun in June 2004 as Part of composite dialogue Process.
During the talks, Pakistan has expressed reservation over the US and India nuclear deal by saying that it will disturb the balance of power in South Asia. “Discussions focused on a review of the implementation of existing agreements and on disarmament and non-proliferation-related issues of mutual interest in multilateral forums,” a joint statement on Friday said.
In February, India and Pakistan signed a deal designed to help avoid the accidental sparking of a nuclear conflict. The countries had already agreed to inform each other before conducting ballistic missile tests and to exchange lists of nuclear facilities every year. The South Asian rivals have fought three wars since 1947, including two over the still-disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir.
They are considering cooperation on a range of issues, including developing shared positions on security issues at the United Nations or the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva. “Both have common positions on many issues at the UN for example but do not work together as yet,” said Arundhati Ghosh, India’s former envoy to Geneva. “Cooperation at this level — presenting a common position — could be one of the issues on the table.” India’s delegation was led by senior foreign ministry official K.C. Singh and Pakistan’s by his counterpart, Khalid Aziz Babar.—Agencies