Monday, August 1 2005 22:14 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Islamabad: The talks on Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) between India and Pakistan next week will focus on ways to deal with nuclear emergencies as also an agreement on pre-notification of missile tests and military exercises.

Nuclear CBMs

During the three-day talks from August 5 in New Delhi, the two sides would also discuss about hotline contacts between the Foreign Secretaries to deal with nuclear emergencies and improvement of telecommunication links between top Army officials, Pakistan Foreign Office Spokesman Naeem Khan told reporters in Islamabad today (Aug 1, 2005).

They would discuss flag meetings between commanders at designated places along the Line of Control, pre-notification of missile tests and military exercises besides a proposal to reduce the number of troops in Kashmir and a process for reducing inadvertent crossing of LoC, Khan said.

The talks on nuclear CBMs on August 8 will cover nuclear missile restraint, conventional balance and conflict resolution.

Troops reduction in JK

The talks will also focus on measures to speed up release of people inadvertently crossing the LOC. Pakistan will raise the issue of troop reduction by the Indian army in Jammu and Kashmir, he said.

The Pakistan delegation would be headed by Additional Secretary Tariq Usman Haider.

Asked about Indian assertions on continuing cross border terrorism and militant training camps in Pakistan, Khan said Islamabad had done "more than its share" in the war on terror and its commitment remains "complete and unquestionable."

"The criticism is only from those who are either ignorant of what the country has done and those who are motivated to malign Pakistan," he claimed.

"The world knows Pakistan's contribution, appreciates it and even the leaders of the leading countries are thankful to it for its role," he added.

Baglihar dam

On Indo-Pak talks on Baglihar dam, the spokesman said the Pakistani team that had visited the site from July 25 to 30 would present their report to the Government, which would help it in the preparation of Islamabad's case before the neutral expert appointed by World Bank.

He denied any pressure on Pakistan over the dam project.

Regarding the UN Security Council expansion, he said Pakistan's position was based on principles and not targeted against any particular country.

The resolution by Pakistan and Italy-led Uniting for Consensus, which had support from China and many other countries, was against creation of new centres of privilege, which are against sovereign equality of States, while giving regional groups more chance of representation, he said.

Proposal by G-4

On the other hand, he claimed, the proposal by G-4-- India, Germany, Japan and Brazil-- seeks permanent status for four more countries.

On the Opposition from political parties including ruling PML-Q to Pervez Musharraf's decision to expel foreign students from Pakistan's madrasas, he said the President has categorically said that they will have to leave. He however added that details were being worked out.