Talking about “Non-Proliferation and Strategic Stability in South Asia: A Russian Perspective” at the Strategic Vision Institute (SIV) which is an Islamabad-based think tank specialising in nuclear issues, Mr Topychkanov said that despite largescale cooperation between India and Israel for the development of a ballistic missile defence system and Indian efforts for acquiring S-400 defence systems from Russia, “India is very far from developing any system that could effectively defend itself from a Pakistani missile”.
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On Tuesday, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry reportedly met with US Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Affairs Rose Gottemoeller.
Even in the face of China blocking India’s bid to acquire membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group, there is some consolation that the US has recognised that India meets missile technology control regime requirements and is ready to be a part of the exclusive club (“U.S. backs, but China opposes India’s NSG bid”, May 15).
“Pakistan has the expertise, manpower, infrastructure, as well as the ability to supply NSG-controlled items, goods and services for a full range of nuclear applications for peaceful uses”, the ambassador said.
Asked whether China will push Pakistan’s entry into the NSG, Lu said that it is a different issue, which should not be linked to India’s admission into the bloc. “The national export control lists are harmonized with the control lists of NSG, MTCR and Australia Group”, it said.
China has been hinting that it would support its “all-weather friend” Pakistan’s bid to get the NSG membership if the “NPT signatory” criterion was diluted to admit India.
In this context, the two sides stressed on peaceful resolution of disputes between India and Pakistan through a meaningful dialogue. The US expressed its interest in exploring such nuclear science cooperation with Pakistan.
The US underscored the need to commence negotiations on a treaty dealing with fissile materials for use in nuclear weapons.
“As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, we are the watchdog of the world, we must ensure the rules”. It has already concluded bilateral treaties with many NSG countries for nuclear trade.
Talking about Russia’s policy for strategic stability in South Asia, the Mr Topychkanov said Moscow is interested in regional strategic stability and is working on avoiding crisis in the area.
Pakistan also expressed concerns on growing conventional imbalance, and reiterated its longstanding proposal for the Strategic Restraint Regime (SRR) in South Asia.
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However, rejecting talks on the Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty in its current form and conditions, Islamabad assured Washington that it would not be the first in its region to resume nuclear testing. Both sides underscored the importance of preventing the risk of global nuclear terrorism and reaffirm their participation in the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism (GICNT). The delegations also emphasized their shared desire for a successful BWC Review Conference in November and agreed to continue working together to that end.
