Monday, October 3 2005 13:40 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Islamabad: Taking a further step towards normalisation of ties, India and Pakistan today (Oct 03, 2005) signed two agreements on pre-notification of ballistic missile tests and establishment of a communication link between Coast Guard and Pakistan Maritime Security Agency.

The agreement on pre-notification of missile tests was signed by Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran and his Pakistani counterpart Riaz Mohammad Khan.

The agreement entails that both countries provide each other advance notification of flight tests that it intends to undertake of any surface-to-surface ballistic missile.

An understanding in this regard was reached between the two countries at the third round of Nuclear CBM talks held on August 5-6 in New Delhi.

India had presented a draft on pre-notification of the tests during the first round of Expert Level talks on Nuclear CBMs in June 2004.

During the second round of the talks held in December last year, detailed discussions were held on the draft agreement on the issue and positions were brought closer.

India has now handed over a draft MoU on measures to reduce the risks of accidental or unauthorised use of nuclear weapons under the control of both countries.

Director General, Coast Guard, Vice Admiral A K Singh and his Pakistani counterpart singed the agreement on establishment of communication link between Coast Guard and Pakistan Maritime Security Agency.