Sharif wrote to 17 countries against India's NSG membership: Aziz

Pakistan's intensive diplomatic lobbying, including Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif personally writing to 17 prime ministers, prevented India from gaining entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), top Pakistani Foreign Affairs Advisor Sartaj Aziz said on Monday.

"Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif personally wrote letters to 17 prime ministers of different countries on the matter, which is on record," Aziz told media at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad.

The NSG last week failed to reach consensus on India's membership application after several members, led by China, of the international nuclear trade cartel insisted on adhering to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) condition for admission.

The statement came days after Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakriya, during his weekly briefing, said that Pakistan was seeking backing from other countries and refuted claims that it was lobbying against India.

India and Pakistan are the two non-NPT states aspiring for membership of the 48-member international nuclear trade cartel.

--IANS

ahm/rn/vt