Pakistan opposes sale of US drones to India

islamabad — Pakistan on Friday opposed the sale of US drone system to India, raising concerns that the move can potentially disrupt the balance of power in the region.

“International powers must show responsibility before signing such agreements,” said Foreign Office spokesman Nafees Zakaria in his weekly Press briefing.

US President Donald Trump had approved a $2 billion deal for the sale of unarmed surveillance drones in the run-up to his meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in June this year. The deal is subject to approval by the US Congress.

Zakaria said Pakistan and the US wished to strengthen relations but this should be based on better understanding of each other’s concerns. “During US Secretary Rex Tillerson’s visit to (Pakistan) and talks with the prime minister, bilateral and regional issues were discussed,” he said.

“He was informed about Pakistan’s counter-terrorism operations and successes on which Tillerson acknowledged the country’s contribution and sacrifices in the fight against terrorists and the country’s strategic and economic importance in the region,” he added.

According to Dawn online, Zakaria also said that all civil nuclear technology agreements should be governed by rules of nuclear nonproliferation.

India, deviating from international rules, can use nuclear technology for military use instead of civil use, the spokesman claimed, adding that because of the Nuclear Suppliers Group’s (NSG) loosening of restrictions in 2008, India is running three parallel nuclear programmes. The NSG is a 48-nation club dedicated to curbing nuclear arms proliferation by controlling the export and re-transfer of materials that could foster nuclear weapons development. Zakaria said Tillerson was apprised of India’s involvement in terrorism in Pakistan. The spokesman said New Delhi assists terrorists, including the outlawed Tehreek-i-Taleban Pakistan among other militant groups. He said that Indian agencies use Afghan soil against Pakistan. —