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Pak does not have India's good record: Burns

He said that Pakistan was kept informed about deal with India, even though they were not 'thrilled' about it.

Published on: Mar 28, 2006, 12:21:00 IST
None | By , Washington
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US has revealed that it did not favour a civilian nuclear deal with Pakistan as it did not have India's good record.

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HT Image

Praising India's track record on non-proliferation, the US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns said that Pakistan did nor receive the same treatment as India did as it did not have a record of protecting its nuclear materials.

"North Korea does not have that record. Iran certainly does not have that record. And Pakistan doesn't either. Obviously, we did not suggest this deal for Pakistan", Burns said when asked if the Pakistani government is responsible for the activities of AQ Khan.

"The government of Pakistan reacted to the public disclosure of the AQ Khan activities. The Pakistani government has ended those activities", he said.

He added that the Bush administration was careful to keep Pakistan informed about the developments relating to the civilian nuclear energy deal with India, even though Islamabad was not "thrilled" with the agreement.

Asked whether the US offered any economic incentives to India for the vote against Iran at the International Atomic Energy Agency, he said "India made its own decisions. In fact, way back in September and again in February, India has made its own sovereign decision on the Iranian question".

Pressed further, he said "None whatsoever. India makes its own decision".

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