India, Pakistan agree to N-test moratorium

In significant steps taking the dialogue process forward, India and Pakistan decided to establish a "dedicated and secure" hotline between their foreign secretaries to prevent misunderstandings and reduce nuclear risks and pledged themselves to unilateral moratorium on nuclear tests.

A seven-point joint statement issued after two days of expert-level talks here on nuclear confidence building measures said the existing hotline between the director-generals of military operations would be "upgraded, dedicated and secured".

Similarly, "a dedicated and secure hotline will be established between the two foreign secretaries, through their respective foreign offices to prevent misunderstanding and reduce risks relevant to nuclear issues," the two-page statement said.

Both countries decided to work towards concluding an agreement with technical parameters on pre-notification of flight testing of missiles, a draft of which was handed over by the Indian side.

"Each side reaffirmed its unilateral moratorium on conducting further nuclear explosions unless, in exercise of national sovereignty, it decides that extraordinary events have jeopardised its supreme interests," the statement said.

Both New Delhi and Islamabad were "conscious" of the need to promote a stable environment of peace and security between them, the statement added.

The two sides recognised that nuclear capabilities of each other, which are based on their national security imperatives, constitute a "factor for stability".

They also committed themselves to national measures to reduce the risks of accidental or unauthorised use of nuclear weapons under their respective controls.

It was decided that they would adopt bilateral notification measures and mechanisms to prevent misunderstandings and misinterpretations.

While the Indian delegation to the talks "held in a cordial and constructive atmosphere" was led by Sheel Kant Sharma, additional secretary in the external affairs ministry, the Pak team was headed by Tariq Osman Hyder, additional secretary in the Pakistan foreign office.

The statement said both countries would continue to engage in bilateral discussions and hold further meetings to work towards implementation of the Lahore memorandum of understanding of 1999 reached between then prime ministers Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Nawaz Sharif.

Under the 1999 MoU, the two countries agreed to abide by their unilateral moratorium on conducting further nuclear tests, "unless either side, in exercise of its national sovereignty decides extraordinary events have jeopardised its supreme interests."

Committing themselves to work towards strategic stability, the joint statement said "both countries will continue to engage in bilateral consultations on security and non-proliferation issues within the context of negotiations on these issues in multilateral fora."

New Delhi and Islamabad also called for regular working level meetings to be held among all the nuclear powers to discuss issues of common concern.

Both sides agreed to report the progress of the talks to the respective foreign secretaries who would meet on June 27-28.