India's inclusion in NSG could affect strategic stability: Pakistan

Following the United States extending their support towards India becoming a member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), Pakistan on Wednesday expressed concern saying that New Delhi's inclusion would negatively impact strategic stability in South Asia.

"Pakistan has the expertise, manpower, infrastructure and the ability to supply NSG controlled items, goods and services for a full range of nuclear applications for peaceful uses," said Tasnim Aslam, head of the UN desk at the Foreign Office in a briefing session held in Islamabad with NSG countries diplomatic missions.

She also urged diplomats to adopt an objective and non-discriminatory criteria for membership of non-NPT (Non-Proliferation Treaty) states.

A New York Times (NYT) editorial said earlier in June that India's membership of the NSG is "not merited until the country meets the group's standards".

The group's membership has signed the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty but India has refused to do so, which means "it has not accepted legally binding commitments to pursue disarmament negotiations, halt the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons and not test nuclear weapons".

US President Barack Obama announced on Tuesday that his country is backing India's bid to join the club.

China could also insist, as a condition of India's membership, that Pakistan also be allowed to join.

The NSG is a 48-nation club dedicated to curbing nuclear arms proliferation by controlling the export and re-transfer of materials that could foster nuclear weapons development.