Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The government has hinted at the possibility of cooperation with India in the realm of nuclear safety, security and regulatory framework. Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry, while speaking at a daylong international conference titled “Assessing South Asia’s Nuclear Security” on Thursday said, “Nuclear safety and security provide another avenue for cooperation between India and Pakistan… Both sides can agree on sharing of best practices, experience and expertise.” The conference was jointly organised by Centre for International Strategic Studies (CISS) and Atlantic Council, an American think tank. Pakistan and India have a working group on nuclear confidence building measures (CBMs), one of which is cooperation in case of nuclear accidents. The working group has, however, lately been dysfunctional because of suspension of bilateral dialogue. The two countries are also part of other international conventions and instruments on nuclear safety and security. Aizaz believes that India and Pakistan can cooperate on nuclear safety and security within the framework of those conventions. Speaking about other possible nuclear CBMs with India, the foreign secretary pointed out that Pakistan had extensive experience in the establishment and functioning of an independent nuclear regulatory body. “India, it needs to be recalled, lacks an independent regulatory agency.” He further spoke about Pakistan’s application for membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and recalled the merits and strengths of its case. He hoped that the NSG members would uphold non-proliferation goals and objectives of strategic stability while considering the membership cases. Other experts participating in the conference highlighted various issues affecting strategic stability in South Asia – the growing conventional imbalance, introduction of tactical nuclear weapons, nuclearisation of Indian Ocean region and Indian plans for ballistic missile defence (BMD).