INDIA: Indian and Pakistani representatives yesterday met to discuss formalising a pact to share information in advance of missile tests and consider other measures aimed at reducing the risk of nuclear conflict.
The two days of talks are the third between the nuclear-armed neighbours, who began a sweeping peace dialogue last year to ease decades of bitter tensions.
Relations between India and Pakistan have warmed considerably in recent months, although the two sides have made little progress in resolving their dispute over Kashmir.
Indian analysts say both sides acknowledge that the talks on Kashmir must take place on a separate track to avoid stalling negotiations on issues such as nuclear weapons.
Pakistan in the past rejected such an approach, insisting that the Kashmir dispute be resolved before discussing other issues. But it has changed its stance as a result of international pressure.
India and Pakistan conducted nuclear tests in 1998, provoking economic sanctions from the US and other countries. These restrictions have now been lifted. The two countries agreed last year to set up a hotline to avoid the risk of nuclear war and they were expected to discuss ways to get the system up and running.
Officials were also expected to complete a formal agreement on prior notification of missile tests, something the two sides have been doing informally since 1999.