Pakistan and India expert groups on nuclear confidence-building measures (CBMs) recommended a five-year extension in validity of the existing accord on reducing risk from accidents relating to nuclear weapons.

Islamabad also proposed relocation of heavy artillery 30 kilometers away from the Line of Control (LoC).

The delegates of the two neighbouring nuclear rivals met for the sixth round of expert level talks on nuclear CBMs in pursuance to the agreement between the two foreign ministers in New Delhi on 27 July, 2011, said a joint statement issued on conclusion of the two-day talks held here under the resumed peace talks between the two countries.

Pakistan delegation was led by Munwar Saeed Bhatti, Additional Secretary (UN&EC), Ministry of Foreign Affairs while the Indian side by D B Venkatesh Varma, Joint Secretary (DISA), Ministry of External Affairs.

The statement said that both sides reviewed the implementation and strengthening of existing CBMs in the framework of Lahore MoU, and agreed to explore possibilities for mutually acceptable additional CBMs.

Earlier, on Monday the expert groups of the two sides on conventional CBMs met for dialogue to take measures for reduction of risk caused due to conventional weapons.

According to Foreign Office sources, Pakistan has suggested that artillery with more than 120 millimetres range be moved 30 kilometres from the Line of Control (LoC).

The other proposals, Pakistan have presented, included exchange of those who cross the LoC by mistake or accidentally, besides improving procedure of informing each other prior to launch of any military exercise.

The sources further said that the two-day dialogue was aimed at reducing possibility of accidents.

"The two sides have agreed to recommend to their foreign secretaries to extend the validity of the "Agreement on Reducing the Risk from Accidents Relating to Nuclear Weapons" for another five years", the statement said, adding that the talks were held in a cordial and constructive atmosphere.

It further said that the two sides will report the progress in talks to their respective foreign secretaries.

Signed in February 21, 2007 at New Delhi, the "Agreement on Reducing the Risk from Accidents Relating to Nuclear Weapons", the two countries expressed commitment to the objective of global and non-discriminatory nuclear disarmament and also developed conscious of the need for adopting measures aimed at promoting a stable environment of peace and security between the two countries.

Article-8 of the agreement says "Upon agreement by the Parties, the Agreement may be extended for successive periods of five years at a time.

A Party may withdraw from this Agreement by giving six months written notice to the other indicating its intention to terminate the Agreement.

Under Article-2 of the accord, the two sides have agreed that the parties shall notify each other immediately in the event of any accident relating to nuclear weapons, under their respective jurisdiction or control, which could create the risk of a radioactive fallout, with adverse consequences for both sides, or create the risk of an outbreak of a nuclear war between the two countries.

In the event of such an accident, the party within whose jurisdiction or control the accident has taken place will immediately take necessary measures to minimise the radiological consequences of such an accident.

The obligation of a party to notify shall be in respect of only such accidents, which may result in an international trans-boundary release that could be of radiological safety significance or have security implications for the other party.