ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s top Foreign Affairs Advisor Sartaj Aziz has said Islamabad’s credentials for the membership of Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) are stronger than India’s if the 48-nation group agrees to form a uniform criteria for non-Non Proliferation Treaty (NPT) states.
In an interview to Pakistani channel Dawn News on Sunday, Mr Aziz said Pakistan has diplomatically engaged numerous countries.
“If the group forms a uniform criteria, then Pakistan has stronger credentials for NSG membership than India,” the advisor claimed.
“Our strategy was to apply after India did, after which we would have immediately followed. We have had our application in an advance state of readiness for the past three months for this this purpose,” Mr Aziz said.
He expressed hope that, due to Pakistan’s strong credentials, if India gains entry into the club, Pakistan will not be left behind.
The advisor claimed that Pakistan has come a long way, and everyone has witnessed how well Islamabad safeguards its nuclear assets.
The Nuclear Suppliers Group or NSG is expected to hold its next meeting on June 20.
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.
IANS