Nuclear policies: ‘Double standard towards South Asia dangerous’

Foreign secretary says growing asymmetry between India, Pak destabilising region

ISLAMABAD: The trend towards discriminatory nuclear cooperation agreements and waivers from long-held non-proliferation principles undermine strategic stability in South Asia, Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry said on Thursday.

Addressing a conference—Defence, Deterrence and Stability in South Asia— the foreign secretary highlighted that the Indo-US civilian nuclear deal, along with the US support and advocacy of Indian membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), will enable India to exponentially increase its nuclear weapons arsenal. “This myopic policy of dual standards towards South Asia, based on narrow strategic, political and commercial considerations bodes ill for the region’s long term peace and stability,” he explained.

“The conventional asymmetry between Pakistan and India continues to widen as India engages in a massive arms build-up through acquisition of most advanced weapons and technology and almost all of India’s military capabilities are being deployed against Pakistan,” he said.

Pakistan’s policy, Chaudhry emphasised, was characterised by restraint and responsibility. “Our conduct continues to be guided strictly by the principle of credible minimum deterrence. Deterrence, however, is a dynamic concept and must evolve as the nature of the threat being faced evolves.”

He further said that Pakistan had absolutely no intention to engage in arms race with India - conventional or nuclear, but it cannot afford to ignore the fast changing security environment in the region.

He said Pakistan’s pursuit of progress and prosperity was contingent upon regional peace and stability.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 1^st, 2015.