New York, Oct 05: Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari
has said he has no objection to the landmark Indo-US civil
nuclear deal so long as his country is treated "at par".
"Why would we begrudge the largest democracy in the world
getting friendly with one of the oldest democracies?" he told
'Wall Street Journal' in an interview.
Zardari's remarks came ahead of US President George W
Bush's signing of the legislation on the Indo-US nuclear deal
into law on Wednesday at a ceremony in the White House.
The Pakistan President said he has no objection to the
India-US nuclear co-operation agreement so long as Islamabad is
treated "at par”.
Pakistani leaders have been making such statements
despite repeated US assertions that its nuclear agreement with
India was a unique one based on New Delhi's impeccable
non-proliferation record.
Earlier on Friday also, Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf
Raza Gilani said his country intends to ask the US for a
nuclear deal akin to the one finalised with India.
Bureau Report
First Published: Sunday, October 05, 2008, 00:00