Islamabad: Observing that accidental and unauthorised use of nuclear weapons presented a scary scenario, Pakistan has hoped India would agree to discuss a strategic nuclear restraint regime with it.

"There is a possibility they (India) would show interest in the subject because they do realise the dangers involved if there is no restraint regime between the two countries at all," Foreign Office spokesman Masood Khan told a seminar on India-Pakistan relations in Islamabad yesterday (Feb 20, 2004).

Khan said he did not think India would reject the strategic nuclear restraint regime proposal out of hand.

Emphasising the importance of such a regime, Khan said accidental and unauthorised use of nuclear weapons presented a scary scenario for the two countries.

He also said the two sides had some history of discussing a restraint regime and making some progress.

About the composite dialogue to resolve Jammu and Kashmir and other bilateral issues, he said it was premature to comment what the two Foreign Secretaries would discuss, but "we have conventional wisdom behind us".

As per the agreed roadmap, the nuclear CBMs (confidence-building measures) would be discussed along with Kashmir and peace and security issues when they meet in May or June this year. Before that expert-level talks on nuclear CBMs would be held in May.