ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry strategically proposed partnership with India for nuclear safety and security.
This took place during his address at the inaugural session of a conference, ‘Assessing South Asia’s Nuclear Security’, a session jointly organised by the Centre for International Strategic Studies (CISS) and the Atlantic Council, an American think tank.
Pakistan and India currently hold an agreement on nuclear accidents and an expert group on nuclear confidence building measures, though it is currently dormant because of freeze in ties.
Mr Chaudhry said that the two countries could share best practices, experience and expertise regarding nuclear technology.
The proposal comes from the realisation that despite problems in their relationship, both Pakistan and India are responsible for maintaining stability in the South Asian region.
India is one of the few nuclear armed countries without an independent nuclear regulator
Suggesting cooperation on development of an independent regulatory framework, Mr Chaudhry said Pakistan had extensive experience in maintaining an independent nuclear regulatory body.
The latest proposal comes after Pakistan last month proposed a bilateral moratorium on testing of nuclear weapons.
