ISLAMABAD – Pakistan on Thursday expressed serious concern over Indian tests of nuclear-capable ballistic missiles, saying it would “disturb strategic balance in South Asia”.
Speaking at a weekly news briefing here, Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria said India should have informed Pakistan in advance about the test.
The spokesperson dismissed concerns about threats to Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal, saying the country enjoys safety of its weapons.
In March, India tested a nuclear capable long range submarine missile in the Indian Ocean.
This has raised concerns over the nuclear balance in the region, and more specifically the nuclearisation of the Indian Ocean.
The Foreign Office had previously stated that Pakistan is ready to work with India to prevent an arms race in the region.
In February, the National Command Authority, the country’s top decision-making body on nuclear issues, had renewed the proposal for the Strategic Restraint Regime, which has been on the table since October 1998.
India has remained opposed to the proposal and avoided negotiations on the matter.
