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Lok Sabha
The Minister of State for External Affairs, Shri Rao Inderjit Singh told the Lok Sabha today that an understanding on the proposed agreement on Pre-Notification of Flight Testing of Ballistic Missiles was reached during the third round of India-Pakistan Expert Level Dialogue on Nuclear Confidence Building Measures which was held in New Delhi on 5-6 August 2005. The two sides held wide-ranging discussions including on their respective security concepts and nuclear doctrines. The proposed Agreement commits both sides to pre-notify in a structural format flight testing of ballistic missiles, with the objective of enhancing mutual confidence and engendering predictability and transparency of intent. Both sides recommended the agreed text of the proposed Agreement to the Foreign Secretaries of India and Pakistan for formalization.
Shri Singh said that in pursuance of the MoU of 21 February 1999 which inter alia proved for undertaking national measures to reduce the risks of accidental or unauthorized use of nuclear weapons under their respective control, India handed over a draft of a proposed agreement to Pakistan. The two sides also discussed technical parameters relating to 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. Details about implementation and testing schedules were exchanged. It was agreed that the hotline link will be established in September 2005.
The Minister further informed that discussions have also been held between the two sides on Terrorism and Drug Trafficking. These issues will be discussed further at the Home Secretary level talks between the two sides scheduled to be held on 29-30 August 2005 in New Delhi. The above information was given by the Minister in reply to a question by Prof.Mahadeorao Shiwankar, Sh. Mohd. Tahir, Prof. M. Ramadass, Sh. Kishanbhai V. Patel & Sh. Sugrib Singh.
AK/SK/JA
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