Islamabad: Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry Friday said India forced Pakistan to become a nuclear state by carrying out tests.
He said that Pakistan forwarded recommendations to keep the region free of nuclear responsibilities for as many as 24 years however, India spoiled the efforts.
He said Pakistan reserved the right to keep its nuclear programme running for its defence and balance the number game.
Addressing a gathering at Institute of Strategic Studies here, Chaudhry said Pakistan was forced to generate nuclear arsenal and propaganda against it is baseless.
“The country would not give up its right to keep nuclear capability for its defence,” he added.
Pakistan’s atomic programme was totally safe and in accordance with rules of the International Atomic Energy Agency, he said.
Chaudhry said Pakistan should also be a part of Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) like other countries.
The Foreign Secretary said that talks between Afghan government and Taliban were likely to happen by the end of the month. He said Pakistan desires Afghan reconciliation process to move forward.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will attend Nuclear Security Summit (NSS) to be held on March 31.
Chaudhry, in the last week travelled to United States. He attended a conference aimed at preparing for the summit and discussing the process.
The summit will be attended by heads of as many as 35 to 45 countries. Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States, Jalil Abbas Jilani was also present at the preparatory conference.
Meetings of several world leaders are scheduled with the Prime Minister. Nawaz Sharif is also likely to meet President Barack Obama on the sidelines of summit.
