Applications of Pak, India for NSG membership cannot be considered in isolation: MoFA

Islamabad: The Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said the applications of Pakistan and India for the membership of the Nuclear Suppliers' Group (NSG) could not be considered in isolation from the goal of maintaining strategic stability in South Asia. "It has been Islamabad's consistent position that the question of Nuclear Suppliers' Group (NSG) membership for non-NPT (Non-Proliferation Treaty signatory) states must be dealt with in accordance with a single, uniform, non-discriminatory and fair criteria," said MoFA spokesperson Mohammed Nafees Zakaria, while answering a question on efforts put in by Pakistan to block India's entry in the NSG during a media briefing here on Thursday. He, therefore, added, "It is absolutely essential for the NSG to consider the Indian and Pakistani applications simultaneously and in an even-handed manner." Saying that Islamabad has been making efforts to muster support of the NSG members for its membership, Zakaria added: "Pakistan's NSG membership is in the interest of nuclear trading countries as it will further promote NSG's non-proliferation objectives by the inclusion of a state with nuclear supply capabilities and its adherence to NSG Guidelines." Earlier in the day, Pakistan President Mamnoon Hussain told his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping that exception for NSG membership could disturb strategic stability in South Asia. "Pakistan has made notable efforts over the years to strengthen its export controls, command and control and nuclear safety and security. The President also said that any exception given for NSG membership could disturb strategic stability in South Asia," MoFA said in a statement. Pakistan President Hussain, who held a bilateral meeting with the Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Head of State Council Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), discussed the subject of Pakistan's entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG). India is seeking its induction into the elite group of NSG.