ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will reiterate its demand for reduction of forces in Jammu and Kashmir at the talks in New Delhi later this week.

Talks on confidence-building measures (CBMs) in conventional defence mechanisms are scheduled for August 5 and 6 and those on nuclear CBMs for August 8. They are part of the ongoing composite dialogue between the countries.

Draft agreement

At the weekly press briefing, Foreign Office spokesman Naeem Khan said that several proposals on both the nuclear and conventional fields were on the table. The countries had exchanged a draft agreement on pre-notification of missile tests and the delegations were expected to exchange further notes on the subject.

Under an informal arrangement, India and Pakistan give advance notice of missile tests and have agreed, in principle, to convert it into a formal arrangement. The agreement has been delayed with both sides closely examining the issues involved.

Among the proposals are operationalisation of hotlines between the Foreign Secretaries and the Directors-General of Military Operations, periodic flag meetings of commanders at designated points on the Line of Control and reduction of forces in Jammu and Kashmir. Though both countries want the hotlines set up, the proposal has not materialised essentially for technical reasons.

Mr. Khan said Pakistan had proposed a "strategic restraint regime" that envisaged comprehensive measures both in the nuclear and conventional fields. It covered nuclear and missile tests, balance in conventional weapons and defence mechanisms and conflict resolution.

India's stand

India rejected the proposal on the ground that while the defence requirements and build-up of Islamabad were India-centric, New Delhi did not base its defence capabilities on any specific country or threat.

The spokesman dubbed Indian allegations of continued cross-border incursions and the existence of terror infrastructure in Pakistan "motivated." He said the whole world was aware of Islamabad's commitment to the elimination of the threat posed by terrorism.

Mr. Khan argued that no country could progress in an atmosphere of terror; Pakistan was fully conscious of this. "We have done much more than any other country in the fight against terrorism. We reject these allegations."

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