Pak UAE envoy says NSG nod to India will spur arms race in South Asia

Abu Dhabi, Sept 8 : Pakistan has expressed its concern over the 45 member Nuclear Suppliers Group's (NSG) approval for India.

Its defence attache in the UAE believes that an arms race will follow in South Asia as a result of NSGs decision to lift the three-decade ban on nuclear trade with India.

According to the Gulf News, the Pakistani Embassy Defence attache Khawar Hussain said, "I can foresee a nuclear arms race between the two countries and even China."

Hussain says that the NSGs decision will lead to 'weaponisation' and further escalate the tensions between the rival countries, as it would allow India to buy nuclear fuel and technology from the world market.

He further said that the United States has acted in a discriminatory manner by aiding India to get the NSGs approval, when Pakistan and India are on an equal footing as far as being non-signatories to the NPT.

"The US is likely looking to India to counter China in the region and, of course, for economical reasons," added Hussain.

However, Pakistan's Foreign Ministry hasn't yet issued a formal statement condemning the decision of the NSG.

ANI