Senator blasts Indian membership of MTCR

ISLAMABAD: Centre for Pakistan and Gulf Studies President Senator Sehar Kamran has expressed alarm and grave concern over India’s inclusion into the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR).

In a statement, Senator Sehar Kamran said the United States called on the members of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) states to retract objections to India’s unilateral entry into the premiere organisation ahead of the 20thJune meeting in Seoul that would prove disastrous for the future of regional stability in South Asia.

Senator Sehar Kamran stated that with admission into the MTCR, India would 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 seriously undermine regional strategic stability. As a consequence, regional deterrence will also be severely damaged.

Senator Sehar said that 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 be further enabled to utilise its freed up domestic resources for arms stockpiling, improving the quality and quantity of its nuclear arms, which will jeopardise strategic stability of the region.

Senator Sehar 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 organisation by its use of the exclusive veto power, and further prevent any steps which might prove beneficial for Pakistan.

Senator Sehar Kamran further said that these developments will adversely affect China as well, as a military cooperation between US and India can prove detrimental to China’s regional projects especially the China Pakistan Economic Corridor. She emphasised that Pakistan must raise its concerns at relevant international forums, and without any delay.