Pakistan, India swap lists of nuclear sites



by Staff Writers



Islamabad (AFP) Jan 1, 2012



Pakistan and India on Sunday exchanged lists of their nuclear sites under an accord which prohibits both sides from attacking these locations, the foreign ministry in Islamabad said.

Under the 1988 agreement, the nuclear-armed neighbours are required to submit the lists of all their respective nuclear installations and facilities -- civilian and military -- on January 1 every year.

"In accordance with the aforesaid agreement, a list of requisite facilities in Pakistan was given to the Indian high commission official at the foreign office today," a statement from Pakistan's foreign ministry said.

The Indian side also handed over its list to the Pakistan high commission official at the ministry of external affairs in New Delhi, it added.

Relations between India and Pakistan, which have fought three wars since the subcontinent was partitioned in 1947, have been plagued by border and resource disputes, and accusations of Pakistani militant activity against India.

Two of the three wars were over Kashmir, which both countries claim in full. The neighbours and rivals were on the brink of nuclear conflict in 2002 over the Kashmir tensions.

A slow-moving peace process resumed in March 2010, after 166 people were killed in the 2008 Mumbai attacks blamed on Pakistani extremists.

As part of the resumed dialogue process, experts from the two countries recently held peace talks in Islamabad on nuclear confidence-building measures.