This Article is From Oct 08, 2015

Consider Pakistan's Proliferation Record Before Any Deal: India to US

Consider Pakistan's Proliferation Record Before Any Deal: India to US

File photo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in Kathmandu, Nepal.

New Delhi: India today reacted to media reports about the US exploring a civilian nuclear deal with Pakistan on the lines of its agreement with India, saying Islamabad's track record on proliferation should be taken into account in any such decision.

Answering queries on the issue, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said India has seen such reports and these have not appeared for the first time.

"All I would say is whosoever is examining that particular dossier should be well aware of Pakistan's track record in the area of proliferation," Mr Swarup said.

He said India got the civil nuclear deal on the basis of its own impeccable non-proliferation track record.

"That is the reason the US gave us the 123 agreement in 2005 and that is why we got an NSG waiver in 2008. Pakistan's track record is completely different, so we hope that will taken into account," Mr Swarup said.

There have been concerns in the West about nuclear proliferation activities linked to Pakistani scientist AQ Khan.

Reports said the Barack Obama administration was considering a civilian nuclear deal with Pakistan ahead of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's visit to Washington later this month.
.