Citing India Pakistan holds up progress on FMCT

Geneva: Pakistan blocked further negotiations on Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT) Tuesday, describing the move as "discriminatory" that would only help New Delhi stockpile bomb- making nuclear materials.

Speaking at the United Nations Conference on Disarmament UNCD here, Pakistan's representative Zamir Akram said the "discriminatory waiver" provided by the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) would only help India to stockpile bomb-making nuclear (fissile) materials.

The NSG waiver, Akram said, "will further accentuate the asymmetry in fissile materials stockpiles in the region, to the detriment of Pakistan's security interests."

Pakistan has blocked all progress in FMCT negotiations over the last two years, being the only one amongst 65 member states to hold up consensus for launch of talks on control of fissile material. It argues that existing stocks of plutonium and enriched uranium should also be included in the discussions. The argument is made in a bid to counter perceived advantages held by its neighbour and arch rival India.

In its presentation, the Pakistani representative warned major powers against granting India membership of four key multilateral export control regimes that allow trade in nuclear and other materials.

A proposal to grant India full membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group, Missile Technology Control Regime, Australia Group and the Wassenaar Arrangement was made by the United States in the course of a presidential state visit to India last year.