Saturday, May 21 2005 18:38 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Islamabad: Highlighting the need for a comprehensive regime of Confidence Building Measures (CBM) between India and Pakistan to ensure a nuclear tension-free subcontinent, parliamentarians from South Asia have asked other Countries in the region to put in place a sustainable dialogue mechanism for resolving bilateral issues.

The conference of South Asian parliamentarians, which concluded yesterday (May 20, 2005) called on India and Pakistan to put in place a comprehensive regime of confidence-building measures that will ensure a nuclear tension-free region.

The five-day meet, organised by the South Asia Free Media Association (SAFMA), also asked other Countries in the region to set up a sustainable dialogue mechanism for resolving all bilateral disputes.

Identifying energy, water and conservation as areas for cooperation in the region, it called for increased investment for economic progress, restructuring growth for faster poverty eradication and human resource development.

Attended by over 100 parliamentarians from India, Pakistan and other South Asian Countries, the conference issued a declaration encapsulating the agreed vision for bringing a new era of regional partnership.

The Bhurban Declaration, issued at the end of the meeting at the hill resort of Bhurban, chartered a futuristic course of action for regional cooperation in ten different areas encompassing all facets of human development and security in the context of peaceful co-existence.

Thirty-three MPs from all major political parties from India attended the meet.