Any “exception” in granting membership to the NSG will “disturb” strategic stability in South Asia, Pakistan President Mamnoon Hussain today told his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.
Making a strong case for Pakistan’s bid to join the 48-member NSG, Hussain said that his country had made notable efforts over the years to strengthen its export controls, command and control and nuclear safety and security.
Hussain met Xi on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Uzbekistan and discussed Pakistan’s entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), the Foreign Office said in a statement.
“The President also said that any exception given for NSG membership could disturb strategic stability in South Asia,” the statement, apparently referring to India, said.
“Both sides reiterated support to each other’s core interests and expressed their intention to maintain close coordination,” it said.
President Hussain said that the friendship between the two countries is time tested and based on complete mutual trust, understanding and respect. The two countries enjoyed excellent cooperation and convergence of views on regional and global issues.