Islamabad: Amid India's growing push to join the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) group, Pakistan said that it is lobbying ‘effectively and pro-actively’ with all members of the elite group to stop India's efforts to join the 48-member exclusive club.
Pakistani Premier’s adviser on foreign affairs, Sartaj Aziz, today told the Senate that Pakistan's "efforts towards non-discriminatory approach will pay off".
Aziz was responding to concerns expressed by Pakistani senators over the "growing collusion between India and the US" and apprehension that the NSG member states would positively consider India's request to join it.
India as well as Pakistan have both applied for membership to the NSG, which would allow both countries to join nuclear commerce.
India on Tuesday brightened its chances of joining the NSG, a body that controls global nuclear trade. Yesterday only, the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), a key anti-proliferation grouping, agreed to admit India with officials saying the New Delhi’s candidature was not opposed by any of the 34 countries in the MTCR.
Now all eyes are on India’s bid to join the NSG. The preliminary discussions on India’s application will begin in Vienna from June 9.
Pakistan Muslim League-Q Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, chairman of the Senate defence committee, said NSG member states would be considering New Delhi's request to join the group.
"We have alienated Iran and Afghanistan and the two countries are now improving their economic ties with India," he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has recently visited Afghanistan and Iran, which are immediate neighbours to Pakistan.
"This is our diplomatic failure. The Indians are encircling us from all sides. Even our immediate neighbours, like Afghanistan and Iran, have gone to India. It's a result of our failed diplomacy and traditionally passive foreign policy," Sayed added.
Meanwhile, China has insisted on consensus and full discussion within the NSG to admit India into the elite grouping.
“Members within the group still differ on the accession of countries which are not party states to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT),” Chinese Foreign Ministry had said on Tuesday.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry was responding to a questions regarding India securing Switzerland’s support on the NSG and whether the ‘membership’ issue figured in the Strategic and Economic Dialogue with US.
While the US has backed India’s inclusion in the 48- member NSG, China is reportedly supporting Pakistan, however, it maintains that Islamabad is not a signatory to the NPT, as well. The issue is expected to figure in the plenary meeting of the NSG on June 9 in Vienna.
With Agency Inputs
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