Success for first official-level dialogue about nuclear weapons

Indian Catholic Church: cooperation is better than hatred and destruction

New Delhi (AsiaNews) – "Any initiative taken by India and Pakistan with the objective of bringing about peace between the two nations and the neighbouring nations is always welcome," said bishop Percival Fernandez, Secretary General of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India to AsiaNews. "In fact it is when we do not dialogue that suspicions grow and misunderstandings thrive. I hope that this initiative taken grows further into dialogue on various issues dear to the people of both countries and brings about the reign of love and cooperation in place of hatred and destruction" bishop Fernandez said.

For the first time since India and Pakistan became declared nuclear weapons States, they have successfully concluded their first official-level dialogue on Sunday. The two countries have conducted tit-for tat nuclear tests in 1998. This first dialogue was conducted "in a remarkable degree of camaraderie". Both sides acknowledged in the joint statement that there was a "need to promote a stable environment of peace and  security between the two countries" and work towards "strategic stability". The political editor of a leading newspaper stated that the current atmosphere between the two countries is  similar to the climate between USA and USSR in the 1970's. Both delegations said that the nuclear capabilities of each other constituted a "factor for stability" and they didn't accept a completed disarmament.

The two sides agreed to establish a dedicated and secure hotline between the two Foreign Secretaries "to prevent misunderstandings and reduce risks relevant to nuclear issues."  An existing hotline between the two Generals of Military Operations, which has functioned every Tuesday through the most tense conditions, including during the Kargil war, will be "upgraded, dedicated and secured."

The two sides also said they would continue to engage in bilateral consultations on security and non-proliferation issues.

India and Pakistan reaffirmed their unilateral moratorium on conducting further nuclear explosions, unless extraordinary events jeopardize their respective national interests. They also committed themselves to reducing the risk of accidental or unauthorised use of nuclear weapons under their respective controls.

Analysts state that the new government is keen on taking the peace process further and Mr. Singh is playing not only to his domestic audience but to the International community as well.

India and Pakistan desire to be accepted as nuclear weapons states on par with the big five powers and want regular working-level meetings to be held among all the nuclear powers to discuss issues of common  concern. (NC)

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• pakistan
• nuclear
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