ISLAMABAD, June 30: Pakistan on Thursday expressed serious reservations about the India-US defence pact and warned that induction of advanced weapon systems into the region could destabilise strategic balance.
Reacting to the 10-year agreement that entails joint weapons production, cooperation on missile defence and the transfer of technology, a foreign office spokesman said: “We are receiving details of the defence pact between the US and India. The induction of advanced weapon systems into the region is a matter of concern for Pakistan as it could destabilise strategic balance in the region.”
The spokesman indicated that Pakistan had already conveyed its concern to the US government over the negative consequences of the induction of new weapons system such as missile defence.
He made it clear that while Pakistan was opposed to an arms race, it was also committed to maintaining credible minimum deterrence in both conventional and non-conventional area.
“Pakistan will always ensure its defensive capability and would respond appropriately to rectify any imbalance,” he asserted.
He pointed out that Pakistan had proposed strategic restraint regime to India based on conflict resolution; nuclear and missile restraint and conventional balance.
“We are also committed to the ongoing composite dialogue process with India with the ultimate objective of achieve durable peace and stability in the region, the foreign office spokesman underlined.
