Pakistan alarmed on Indo-US nuclear deal

NI Wire

New Delhi

Tue, 21 Aug 2007: 

Aug 21: Opposition by the allies of the government over the nuclear deal with US was yet not over that voices of protests started coming from the neighbourhd countries.

Pakistan foreign ministry spokesperson Tasnim Aslam expressed the concern over the statements made by Indian ministers and other officials which assure that Indian agreement with US leaves the right to conduct nuclear tests intact.

Pakistan also indicated that it would not follow its nuclear moratorium in case India resumes nuclear tests. This is to be brought to light that Pakistan and India put self restriction on the conducting nuclear tests after 1998 tests.

Spokesperson said that Pakistan does not want nuclear arms race in the region at the same time it is committed to have a minimum deterrence in view of the strategic balance of the region. She also said that any development that can impinge on the strategic balance in south Asia is a matter of vital concern for them.

She, drawing attention to Australian decision to sell uranium to India said that this is also a matter of grave concern as it will enhance India’s influence over the region and would disturb the strategic balance in her favour.

Putting a kind of threat spokesperson has hinted, “resumption of nuclear tests by India would create a serious situation obliging Pakistan to review its position and to take action, appropriate and consistent with our supreme national interest”.

Recent comments from Pakistan external affairs ministry have come in the wake of repeated assertions by Indian leadership of maintaining its right to conduct nuclear tests.

One thing is to be recalled that in agreement India’s right to conduct test is a qualified one which will be exercised if provoked by the neighbouring countries conducting such tests and putting a threat to the security of the country.

On the other hand US has ruled out any such cooperation with Pakistan as it is viewed with concern in matter of transfers of the technology since its nuclear scientists admitted of transferring atomic technology to Iran, North Korea and Libya.