India and Pakistan Set Missile Talks

Ianitza T. Ianachkova

India and Pakistan are moving forward in their plan to build on recent diplomatic
exchanges conducted between the two Southeast Asian rivals since the new Indian
government assumed power in May.

Experts from both countries will meet Dec. 14-15 in Islamabad to discuss a draft
agreement for early notification of missile tests, among other confidence-building
measures.

The December agreements are expected to build on previous commitments between

the two nations, such as the establishment of a hotline between the two chains of
command as well as a continuation of the 1998 bilateral moratorium on further nuclear
tests. (See ACT, July/August 2004.)

In the meantime, the countries have hardly paused in showing off their military prowess.
India reportedly tested its nuclear-capable Prithvi missile Oct. 27 on the heels of
Pakistan’s Oct. 12 test of its nuclear-capable medium-range Ghauri missile. The test
follows a series of missile tests conducted by each country since May. (See ACT,
September 2004.)