Pakistani and Indian negotiators opened talks Tuesday on how to avoid an accidental nuclear war between the two South Asian rivals, the foreign ministry said.
| They've come close to it twice in the past three years, and neither time was accidental... |
It is the second time since June the two sides have met to discuss their nuclear weapons. India and Pakistan also have launched a broader effort to resolve long-running disputes, including their competing claims over the Himalayan region of Kashmir. Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesman Masood Khan told reporters the two sides were discussing "new safeguards to avoid any accidental nuclear war" — including giving advance notification of missile tests. Both delegations expressed optimism about the talks, scheduled to last two days. "We are happy to be in Islamabad," said Meera Shanker, head of the Indian delegation. "We are in favor of result-oriented talks." The head of the Pakistani side, Tariq Usman Haider, also said he hoped for "result-oriented" negotiations that would benefit the "governments and peoples of both the countries." During the June meeting, India and Pakistan agreed to extend a moratorium in nuclear tests and to set up a telephone hot line between the top bureaucrats in their foreign ministries. These agreements were expected to be finalized at this week's talks. |