WASHINGTON (News Desk) – The United States has stated that the nature of its relationship with India and Pakistan is quite different and that Islamabad’s application to join Nuclear Supplier Group (NSG) will be considered by consensus at the upcoming NSG meeting in Vienna.
Addressing a daily news briefing, US State Department Deputy Spokesman Mark Toner said America’s ties with Pakistan were significant, however the alleged presence of the Haqqani Network on Pakistani soil was a consistent challenge to relations between the two countries.
Responding to a question about Pakistan’s inclusion in the NSG regime, he said that Islamabad had submitted its application last week. He added that every country was eligible to apply for NSG membership and that Washington was currently reviewing Pakistan’s application.
He said that any decision on Pakistan’s inclusion in the NSG would be made by consensus at the group’s upcoming Vienna meeting. He confirmed, however, that the US was fully supportive of India’s NSG membership bid.
On the occasion, he also confirmed that a top level US delegate was visiting Pakistan to discuss bilateral ties with the country’s civilian and military leadership.
To another question, he suggested that Pakistan and India should improve bilateral ties for regional stability. Enhanced ties among Pakistan, India and Afghanistan are better for the South Asian region, he added.
