ISLAMABAD - Pakistan on Monday hinted it would renounce its unilateral moratorium on nuclear testing if India were to resume trials, last carried out by both countries nine years ago. New Delhi has said its right to conduct tests will not be undermined by a bilateral civilian nuclear deal with the United States which has raised concerns here.“We take seriously the assertions by the India leadership about the possibility of resuming nuclear tests,” foreign ministry spokeswoman Tasnim Aslam told a weekly briefing. “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,” she said.
| That's right, boys, use up your nukes testing them. Show us what big stuff you are. |
“We have been emphasising repeatedly that Pakistan has also its energy needs and we have future energy procurement plans which include the development of civilian nuclear power plants,” she said. “We want to develop civilian nuclear power generation under international safeguards.
“Pakistan is fully committed to non-proliferation and we believe that for effectiveness of the global nuclear non-proliferation regime Pakistan must be treated and viewed as a partner.”
Pakistan has also raised eyebrows over an Australian bid to sell uranium to India, saying it would tilt the strategic balance in New Delhi’s favour. “Like the US-India nuclear deal, the decision by Australia to sell uranium to India is a matter which warrants close attention. Any development that can impinge on the strategic balance in South Asia is a matter of vital concern to us,” Aslam said.
| Especially since the long-term strategic balance is running against you. |
| That's different, of course. |