Amid concern in India and the US over a Chinese plan to build two 1,000 MW nuclear reactors in Karachi, China on Wednesday defended its civilian nuclear cooperation with Pakistan, saying it was under “strict” international norms.
“Relevant cooperation is in strict accordance with the two countries’ international responsibility and is for peaceful aim. We also receive the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA),” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said.
Both India and United States conveyed their objections to China’s move, saying that it violated the strict norms set by the 46-member Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).
The issue may also figure during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit here next week. China and Pakistan, in principle were engaged in civilian energy cooperation in recent years, Hua said.
Recent reports from Pakistan said that two big reactors would be built in Karachi by China, with construction beginning as early as next month. There is no direct confirmation of the agreement to build the new plants.