US think tank in favour of nuclear deal with Pakistan

WASHINGTON: The United States should start discussions with Pakistan on a civilian nuclear deal that will treat it at par with India, a Washington think tank emphasised in a new report on Pakistan.

"The biggest game changer in terms of public perception will be discussion of an energy-oriented civilian nuclear deal with Pakistan that will treat it on par with its neighbour India," the Atlantic Council said in its latest report.

Entitled "Pakistan in the Danger Zone", the report proposes a series of "game-changing" steps on both sides to foster a trusting long-term partnership.

While arguing in favour of a US-Pakistan civilian nuclear cooperation, Shuja Nawaz, author and director of the Council's South Asia Center, also calls for ensuring safeguards of the International Atomic Energy Agency for non-proliferation compliance.

Last week, a Rand Corporation study by eminent experts Christine Fair and Seth Jones had also asked the Obama administration to consider a criteria-based civil nuclear cooperation deal for Pakistan.

"Such a deal would confer acceptance of Islamabad's nuclear weapon program and reward it for the improvements in nuclear security it has made since 2002, noted the study released by Rand Corporation, which helps improve policy and decision making through research and analysis.

Pakistan's energy needs have been increasing exponentially in recent years and the country considers nuclear plants as one of the cleaner ways to meet these requirements.

Besides, Islamabad feels that "discriminatory" civilian nuclear treatment given to India puts it at a disadvantage and has expressed fears about the extra fuel that New Delhi will have at its disposal as a result of international energy cooperation.

In their report, researchers Fair and Jones acknowledged Islamabad's concerns, when they noted “Pakistan legitimately fears that the agreement may allow India to improve and expand its nuclear weapon arsenal.”