ISLAMABAD: President Centre for Pakistan and Gulf Studies Senator Sehar Kamran (TI) has expressed her alarm and gravest concern at India’s inclusion into the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR). Furthermore she said the United States call to the members of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) states to retract objections on India’s unilateral entry into the premiere organization ahead of the 20th June meeting in Seoul will prove disastrous for the future of regional stability in South Asia.
Senator Sehar Kamran stated that with the admission of India into the MTCR, it will now be able to import and export ballistic and cruise missiles. This effectively means that India would now be able to import American drone and predators and enhance its offensive capability which would serious undermine regional strategic stability. As a consequence, regional deterrence will also be severely damaged.
Senator Kamran said India’s entry into the MTCR has given a boost to its bid into the NSG, and if India becomes a member then it would be able to carry out nuclear trade with other nuclear suppliers’ countries. She said, in this context India will become further able to utilize its freed up domestic resources for arms stockpiling, improving the quality and quantity of its nuclear force, which will jeopardize strategic stability of the region.
Senator Sehar Kamran highlighted that these developments can seriously hamper Pakistan’s long term interests. Pakistan aspires to join the NSG, but should India become a member, then it can block Pakistan’s entry into the organization by its use of the exclusive veto power, and further prevent any steps which might prove beneficial for Pakistan.
Senator Kamran further stated that these developments will adversely affect China as well, as a military cooperation between US andIndia can prove detrimental for China’s regional projects especially the China Pakistan Economic Corridor. She emphasized that Pakistanmust raise its concerns at relevant international forums, and without any delay.
