Joint Press Statement, India-Pakistan Expert Level Dialogue on Nuclear Confidence Building Measures
Date: August 6, 2005
Place: New Delhi, India

August 6, 2005

The India-Pakistan Expert Level Dialogue on Nuclear Confidence Building Measures was held in New Delhi on 5-6 August 2005. The Indian delegation was led by Ms. Meera Shankar, Additional Secretary (UN), Ministry of External Affairs. The delegation of Pakistan was led by Mr. Tariq Osman Hyder, Additional Secretary (UN & EC), Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The visiting Pakistani delegation also called on the Foreign Secretary Shri Shyam Saran.

2. The present round of discussions is the third meeting held between India and Pakistan at the level of experts on the subject of nuclear CBMs, under the Composite Dialogue process. The two sides continued to hold wide-ranging discussions in a cordial and constructive atmosphere, including on their respective security concepts and nuclear doctrines.

3. The two sides reached an understanding on the proposed Agreement on Pre-Notification of Flight Testing of Ballistic Missiles. The proposed Agreement commits both sides to pre-notify in a structured format flight testing of ballistic missiles, with the objective of enhancing mutual confidence and engendering predictability and transparency of intent. The Experts have jointly recommended the agreed text of the proposed Agreement to the Foreign Secretaries of India and Pakistan for formalization.

4. In pursuance of the MoU of 21 February 1999 which inter alia provided for undertaking national measures to reduce the risks of accidental or unauthorized use of nuclear weapons under their respective control, the Indian side handed over a draft of such a proposed Agreement.

5. The two sides emphasized the importance of early operationalization of the hotline link proposed to be established between the Foreign Secretaries, through their respective Foreign Offices, to prevent misunderstandings and reduce risks relevant to nuclear issues. In this connection, discussions on related technical parameters were held. Details about implementation and testing schedules were exchanged. It was agreed that the hotline link will be established in September 2005.

6. The two sides 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.

New Delhi
August 6, 2005