ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Pakistan has warned that operationalization of Indo-US nuclear deal for political and economic expediencies would have a detrimental impact on deterrence stability in South Asia.
“Pakistan reserves the right to safeguard its national security interests,” the premier’s adviser on national security and foreign affairs Sartaj Aziz said on Tuesday while reacting to the statements made and agreements signed during the US President Barack Obama’s recent visit to India.
Obama reached India on Sunday for a three-day official visit while during talks with the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, the two sides reached a breakthrough on the US-India civilian nuclear agreement signed in 2008.
The deal has been held up by the US concerns over India’s strict laws on liability in the event of a nuclear accident. The breakthrough will allow US companies to supply India with civilian nuclear technology.
In a statement, the adviser said that Pakistan is examining the longer term implications of these agreements for its security.
The advisor said that Pakistan values its relations with the United States and expects it to play a constructive role for strategic stability and balance in South Asia.
Sartaj Aziz said that Pakistan also strongly opposes the granting of any special status to India at the UN Security Council.
“A country, in violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions on matters of international peace and security, such as the Jammu & Kashmir dispute, by no means qualifies for a special status in the Security Council,” the adviser said.
The advisor said that Pakistan is also opposed to yet another country-specific exemption from the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) rules to grant membership to India.
“This would further compound the already fragile strategic stability environment in South Asia, further undermine the credibility of NSG and weaken the non-proliferation regime,” he said.
Sartaj Aziz said that Pakistan would continue to maintain its constructive engagement with the NSG and other export control regimes to build its case for membership.
Moreover, the adviser said that Pakistan is a leading partner of the international community in counter-terrorism, and it also expects the same commitment from others.
The adviser said that Pakistan is also the biggest victim of terrorism including that sponsored and supported from abroad.
“Pakistan rejects any insinuation or aspersion over its commitment to fight terrorism. Condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations should not be based on selectivity or double standards,” Sartaj Aziz said.
