For Immediate Release, July 19, 2011
Contact: Allison Sturma, 202-429-4725

(Washington) - The Ottawa Dialogue, a collaboration of the United States Institute of Peace, the University of Ottawa, and several other partners recently produced a series of recommendations for reducing the threat of nuclear conflict between Pakistan and India.

The "confidence building measures" (CBMs) were adopted at a meeting of the Ottawa Dialogue held at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution in Palo Alto, CA, July 6-8.

The Ottawa Dialogue brings together influential Pakistani and Indian participants in a series of discussions covering a variety of issues related to nuclear conflict reduction and stability, including escalation control, arms control, nuclear deterrents, and civilian nuclear cooperation. As an example of Track II diplomacy, the Ottawa Dialogue is a means of engaging representatives from adversarial countries in dialogue on sensitive subjects. The goal of such dialogue is the identification of potential means of conflict resolution that the participants may carry into official circles as private recommendations for action.

USIP was represented Paul Hughes, director of special initiatives, and Moeed Yusuf, South Asia adviser.

The Ottawa Dialogue news release and a complete list of the recommendations are available here.

For further information on USIP’s support for the Ottawa Dialogue, please contact Moeed Yusuf: myusuf@usip.org or Paul Hughes: phughes@usip.org.

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  The United States Institute of Peace (USIP) provides the analysis, training and tools that help to prevent, manage and end violent international conflicts, promote stability and professionalize the field of peacebuilding. Learn more at www.usip.org.