ISLAMABAD: Pakistan said on Sunday it was ready to discuss with India at the forthcoming foreign secretaries meeting, the question of non-proliferation of nuclear weapons.

Responding to questions from reporters here, Pakistan foreign secretary ranvir Ahmad Khan said Pakistan sincerely hoped the two countries would be able to reach an agreement on the issue before the danger of a conflict arose.

But when a Pakistani journalist sought his comments on U.S. Senator, Alan Cranston’s warning in New Delhi that a fourth war between the two neighbors might lead to the use of nuclear weapons, Khan said he did not believe such a danger existed.

Indian foreign secretary Muchkund Dubey is expected to arrive in Islamabad on July 17 to hold parleys with his Pakistani counterpart on confidence building measures to reduce tension between the two countries.

On the possible outcome of the talks, Khan said “we remain optimistic and hopeful” the whole diplomatic effort is to avert a crisis.”

Khan also said a meeting between Prime Minister VP Singh and his Pakistan’s Benazir Bhutto was on the cards during the SAARC summit in Maldives in November.

“It is a convention that leaders of member states meet each other during summit level talks at SAARE meetings,” he said

Khan said no documents on any agenda had been exchanged between the two countries, “but the parameters in which both sides are approaching the talks are well known”.

The foreign secretary said both the countries differed in their perceptions on the corer, issues of Kashmir and redeployment of forces to peacetime locations.

He said there had been no indication from India on how many issues it was prepared to discuss during the Islamabad meeting and the talks would be held without any pre-arranged agenda.

The second round of talks at the foreign secretary’s level to be held in New Delhi was likely to discuss specific issues and the composition of Pakistan’s delegation would be larger and more comprehensive, he said.

The second round of talks at the foreign secretaries’ level to be held in New Delhi was likely to discuss specific issues and the composition of Pakistan’s delegation would be larger and more comprehensive, he said,

About U.S Senator, Alan Cranston reported statement that Pakistan had stopped aid to separatists in the valley, Mr. Khan said “there is no question of stopping something you never started.”

He said Pakistan had replied to the letter from U.S. President George Bush to Ms. Bhutto calling for a peaceful solution to problems between the countries.

Article extracted from this publication >> July 13, 1990