Pakistan

Islamabad snubs discriminatory NSG membership proposal

The two-page draft, if accepted, would open the nuclear club for India while leaving Pakistan out

Kamran Yousaf December 30, 2016

pakistani army soldiers travel on a vehicle carrying cruise missile ra 039 ad during the pakistan day military parade in islamabad on march 23 2016 pakistan national day commemorates the passing of the lahore resolution when a separate nation for the muslims of the british indian empire was demanded on march 23 1940 afp photo aamir qureshi

Pakistani army soldiers travel on a vehicle carrying cruise missile Ra'ad during the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad on March 23, 2016. Pakistan National Day commemorates the passing of the Lahore Resolution, when a separate nation for the Muslims of The British Indian Empire was demanded on March 23, 1940. / AFP PHOTO / AAMIR QURESHI

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has rejected a draft proposal that, if adopted, would pave the way for India to become a member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) but make it difficult for Islamabad to join the exclusive club of civilian nuclear trading nations.

The two-page document was prepared by former NSG chairman Rafael Mariano, who was acting on behalf of the current chairman, to end the current stalemate over Pakistan and India’s bid to join the 48-member organisation.

The proposal may open the way for India to join the NSG but it will require Pakistan to first win a separate NSG exemption to engage in civilian nuclear trade with member states.

NSG draft rule may allow India in, leave Pakistan out

India was given a similar exemption in 2008 and this means that if the proposal is adopted in its current form that would remove the last hurdle for New Delhi to join the NSG.

Pakistan has consistently emphasised the need for criteria based and non-discriminatory approach to admit new members, a position endorsed by China and some other NSG members.

Reacting to the latest proposal, Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria said that the Grossi formula was an internal document of the NSG, which had not yet been shared with Pakistan.

“We understand that the NSG countries are still discussing the document and there is no consensus on it within the NSG,” the spokesperson told reporters at his weekly briefing on Thursday. “What we have been able to gather from media reports and public commentary on the Grossi proposal, by experts like Daryll Kimbal, is that the proposal seeks to propose the 2008 NSG exemption for India as a requirement for NSG membership. This would be clearly discriminatory and would contribute nothing in terms of furthering the non-proliferation objectives of the NSG,” he added.

Prices of petroleum products to go up by around Rs7

Zakaria insisted that Pakistan continued to stress the imperative for a non-discriminatory criteria-based approach for NSG membership of non-NPT states in a non-discriminatory manner. “Such a criteria-based approach will further the non-proliferation objective of the NSG as well as the objective of strategic stability in South Asia,” he emphasised.

Replying to a question, the spokesperson conceded that there were certain states which expressed their support for India’s membership. “However, no NSG member has opposed Pakistan’s principled position for a non-discriminatory criteria-based approach. In fact, there is growing traction for Pakistan’s position,” he insisted.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 30^th, 2016.

COMMENTS (14)

Bhaijaan | 7 years ago | Reply Snubs? Now, really? Ego overreach, my friends!

Truth | 7 years ago | Reply @ FAZ @ Omar Sadiq : North Korea is also an ally of China. South Korea is also an an ally of USA. Hope this is also clear. Remember every country should look after its own interest. India will deal with US, Russia or China as per its own terms. China-India trade is ten times more than China- Pak trade.

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FAZ | 7 years ago | Reply @Omar Sadiq: Absolutely agree with you. Just look at how Russian intelligence worked in US elections making the entire election uncredible. and that too of a superpower. Mr. Trump will remain indebted to the Russians for his entire life. His economic policies will bring a disaster to US. Russia, China, Iran and Pakistan are becoming close allies. Afghanistan will soon crumble to Taliban and will join the alliance. It seems funny, which ever side the Indians chose that sides suffers disintegration. It was USSR first, now it will be US. Another fact of the matter is that after the world war Americans have lost all wars and proxies except the first Afghan war. And guess who was their close ally in that war?

rama | 7 years ago | Reply @GHAZAL-INDIA: Pakistan was never on right side, so they may not understand word "RIGHT"

سے Shaam (Hanafi) | 7 years ago | Reply How can Islamabad snub discrimination?

Omar Sadiq | 7 years ago | Reply @Sunil: I agree with what you are saying but do look in retrospect that the world is changing and the alliances being formed nowadays are not working in India's favor in the long run. You have been lucky to have nationalist leaders whereas we have had no one but corrupt and sell-out leaders. THAT is the only difference! When you talk about credibility, its nothing but propagandas very well put out there by India and their little cronies (Afg & Ban). Like I said before, wait and watch, with the new alliances being formed throughout the world, its India which will have just US and Isr, apart from the few cronies mentioned above. The lessons of betrayal Pak learned from US, now its India's turn. Make hay while the sun shines and before the eclipse hits you.

VINOD | 7 years ago | Reply @Omar Sadiq: 70 years of towing the lines of USA and now grabbing the fingers of China. When are you going to grow up.

VINOD | 7 years ago | Reply I always wonder where this mindless competition with India in the field of defence will take Pakistan. Some day it will turn into an economic disaster and in any case it is seriously effecting her growth in all vital fields concerning people. Why does Pakistan do not realise that India have to have her defence structure as per her size and position. Pakistan should look at Bangladesh, a country that is quietly developing herself without mindless posturings and her economical growth is the best in the subcontinent.

Shj | 7 years ago | Reply Premature statements from Pakistan establishment have become a new norm. Wonder how one can protest against draft resolutions which are not tabled yet.!

Sunil | 7 years ago | Reply @Omar Sadiq: Pakistan is not Israel nor is it India. Fact is that you have very little credibility and the world will find ways of helping India, we are the 4th biggest economy in the world.

GHAZAL-INDIA | 7 years ago | Reply is pakistan member of NSG?? rejects?? has it been offered membership?? isnt protest right word

Prabhjyot singh madan | 7 years ago | Reply Please carry on the protests,my dear Pakistani neighbor.it is fun to hear your accusations against India. BTW, please comment on Kashmir too, my day gets boring without no mentioning about it. Best of luck. Regards from an Indian. Rab rakha

Truth | 7 years ago | Reply Recent statement from our defense minister to Israel shows how responsible we are as a nuclear state. How can we reject the new formula when we are not a member of NSG.

Omar Sadiq | 7 years ago | Reply If Israel can openly say that it disregards the recent UN Security Council propsal about halting the illegal settlement in Jerusalem, Pakistan should do the same for this discriminatory NSG bill and seek Russia and China's support to thwart Indian and its supporters efforts.

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