France offers India style civilian nuclear technology to Pakistan

Paris, May 16 (ANI): France has offered Pakistan civilian nuclear technology similar to what India has obtained.

"France has agreed to transfer civilian nuclear technology to Pakistan. They have agreed that Pakistan should be treated like India," Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy told his Pakistan counterpart Asif Ali Zardari that Islamabad should also have a have a wide-ranging deal to buy nuclear equipment like the one obtained by India, The News reported.

Qureshi said France had also agreed to provide 300 million Euros in assistance to Pakistan in addition to 12 million Euros for the thousands of people who have been displaced by the Swat military operation.

An official in the Sarkozy's office said France is concerned about the safety of Pakistan's nuclear arsenal and wants Islamabad to fortify security around its nuclear establishments, but he refused to comment on the idea of an India-style nuclear deal.

"We will assure the world that we are an important and a responsible nuclear power and we can handle these matters without threatening or endangering anyone," Qureshi said.

Qureshi added that Islamabad already has a comprehensive security system in place for its nuclear arsenal, and is also willing to give guarantees to the international community.

"Pakistan has no issues with the IAEA. We are willing to give international guarantees. We want the world to feel secure, and Pakistan will give all necessary guarantees," he said. (ANI)