India, Pakistan Agree Not to Attack Other’s Nuclear Plants

The leaders of India and Pakistan, in a major step toward better relations, agreed today not to attack each other’s nuclear facilities.

Pakistani President Zia ul-Haq and Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi also told a joint press conference that their meeting was the most cordial of the six they have held since Gandhi came to power a year ago.

“We have decided to give an undertaking not to attack each other’s nuclear facilities,” Zia said.

Suspicion that the other’s nuclear program was aimed at developing atomic weapons has been a major irritant in relations between India and Pakistan, which have fought three wars since they split into separate countries at independence from British rule in 1947.

Gandhi said there were still differences about the “nature” of each other’s nuclear programs but added, “This agreement is the first step toward restoring confidence in each other.”