Pakistani and Indian officials on Tuesday launched two-day talks on how to avoid an accidental nuclear war between them, the foreign ministry said. The talks are the second time since June that the two sides have met to discuss their nuclear weapons. India and Pakistan also have launched a broader effort to resolve long-running disputes, including their competing claims over the Himalayan region of Kashmir. Pakistan Foreign Ministry spokesman Masood Khan told reporters the two sides were discussing "new safeguards to avoid any accidental nuclear war" _ including giving advance notification of missile tests. Both delegations expressed optimism. "We are happy to be in Islamabad," said Meera Shanker, head of the Indian delegation. "We are in favor of result-oriented talks." The head of the Pakistan side, Tariq Usman Haider, also hoped for "result-oriented" negotiations that would benefit the "governments and peoples of both the countries."
