Pak dubs India’s missile tests threat to peace

Simran Sodhi

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 12

After China, it is now the turn of Pakistan to fret and fume over India’s testing of the Agni-IV missiles. Pakistan has now raised its “concerns” about India’s testing of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) which it claims can pose a danger to regional peace and stability.

According to a report in the Pakistani media, these “concerns” were raised by Pakistan during a meeting with members of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) delegation which is currently in Pakistan.

The MTCR is a 35-member grouping that places voluntary restrictions on its members’ exports of missile and missile-related technology. Using that platform, Pakistan raised its concerns that “highlighted the risks posed to regional peace and stability due to the introduction of destabilising systems such as missile defence programmes and ICBMs”.

Pakistan also lost no opportunity to press upon the members of the MTCR of its commitment to sticking to the guidelines. A statement issued by the Pakistan foreign office today said the agenda for talks included latest political and technical developments in the MTCR.

Additional Secretary Tasnim Aslam from Pakistan briefed the MTCR delegation on Pakistan’s contribution to international efforts aimed at preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery.

“Pakistan’s export control regime is on a par with the best international standards and its national control lists encompass the items and technologies controlled by the MTCR,” a Pakistan foreign ministry official informed the delegation.