US urges Pakistan, India to sign CTBT

WASHINGTON: The US on Tuesday encouraged Pakistan and India to further their mutual engagements for improving strategic stability while asking both countries to sign and ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT).

The State Department official welcomed Pakistan’s proposal to India for not conducting nuclear testing. “We welcome this high-level dialogue between India and Pakistan, encourage both countries to engage in the dialogue and exercise restraint aimed at improving strategic stability. I think this proposal is something we would leave to India’s consideration,” the department’s deputy spokesperson Mark Toner said.

“It remains in our view that the most practical way to achieve a legally binding commitment on nuclear explosive testing would be for both states to sign and ratify the CTBT,” he said.

The CTBT has been one of the longstanding issues between the two countries. Earlier this year, the US hosted nuclear summit and asked both countries to show restraint in nuclear weaponry stockpile.