Pakistan has told the United States its nuclear weapons were aimed at defending itself from Indian aggression.
Foreign secretary Aizaz Chaudhry reacted to US President Barrack Obama’s urge to contain nuclear weapons, saying that Pakistan had to defend itself against Indian aggression and resultantly it relied on its defensive measures.
“Our reliance on nuclear arsenal is basically because of the threats from India. If threat level is lowered, reliance on nuclear arsenal will decrease as well,” he said in an interview.
Mr Chaudhry said that Pakistan agreed to the US suggestion but “what’s important is that the underlined causes or conflicts are resolved first.”
He said Pakistan had already proposed to India to resolve the outstanding conflicts, bring conventional balance and apply nuclear middle restraints.
“An overall comprehensive strategic restraint can ensure long lasting peace,” he insisted, adding that Pakistan had told the US already that an even-handed, non-discriminatory, level-playing field will ensure strategic stability in the region. The secretary said the US signed a civil nuclear deal with India in 2008 which let India increase its nuclear arms exponentially.
“We feel that it destabilised the region. We would like the US to play its role and adopt a non-discriminatory policy in South Asia,” he added.